The Everybody Eats! Gourmet

Apple cider-venison stew, January 2010

A friend whose husband is a hunter suggested I post a recipe for venison, and she even gave me the meat. I put together this hearty cider-venison stew that I think is delicious. The friend’s husband tasted it and said that someone who thinks they don’t like venison should try this recipe. If you don’t have deer meat, elk is similar to venison, or use beef stew meat.

Make this stew extra special by adding dumplings using baking mix such as Bisquick or Jiffy. For gluten-free dumplings, try Pamela’s Baking and Pancake Mix. Use the drop biscuit recipe on the back of the 4-pound bag.

To make stew on the stove, simmer all the ingredients except the apples and sweet potatoes until meat is almost tender. Add the apples and sweet potatoes and simmer until soft and meat is very tender, about another hour.

SLOW-COOKER APPLE CIDER-VENISON STEW

Active time: 30 minutes
Cook time:  8-10 hours
Servings: 4-6

2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons finely diced celery
2 pounds venison stew meat
3 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons salt
2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)

In a medium skillet, melt the butter and sauté celery over medium heat  until soft and beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Place celery in slow cooker, leaving remaining butter in the skillet.

In the same skillet over high to medium high heat, quickly sear and brown the stew meat in two batches, turning each piece once or twice and placing meat into slow cooker as it is browned. Pour about 1/2 cup of the cider into the skillet. Bring to a boil and use the liquid to scrape up browned bits. Place contents of skillet, remaining cider, and the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker. Mix together and cover. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender.

If adding dumplings, carefully transfer stew to a soup pot. Bring to a boil and cook dumplings on top of the stew for 10 minutes uncovered and then 10 minutes covered.

(Recipe adapted from “Apple Cider Stew in Crock Pot,” at cooks.com.)