Savory Stuffed Venison Heart
This delectable dish transforms venison heart into a hearty and flavorful centerpiece for any meal. The tender heart is stuffed with a savory mixture of bacon, herbs, and vegetables, creating a rich and satisfying flavor profile. Ideal for those who appreciate using the whole animal, this recipe is perfect for adventurous eaters and those looking to expand their culinary repertoire. Just a note of caution: be sure to use cooking twine and avoid any treated with linseed oil to ensure your meal is delicious and safe.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
venison heart or beef heart
1 (washed and trimmed)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
bacon
4 slices (chopped)
soft breadcrumbs
2 cups (fresh or store-bought)
celery
1/2 cup (chopped)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
egg
1 (slightly beaten)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for the stuffing)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for the stuffing)
thyme
1/4 teaspoon
sage
1/4-1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
beef broth
1 cup
bay leaf
1
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
Thoroughly wash the heart and trim any excess fat. Season the inside with salt and pepper.
3
In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it's almost crispy. Remove from heat.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked bacon, soft breadcrumbs, chopped celery, chopped onion, slightly beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, thyme, sage, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
5
Carefully stuff the heart with this mixture. Use cooking twine or skewers to secure it closed.
6
Place the stuffed heart in a small roasting pan and pour the beef broth over it. Add the bay leaf to the pan.
7
Cover the pan with aluminum foil to keep moisture in while it cooks.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours, or until the heart is tender.
9
For a slow-cooked variation, place the stuffed heart in a crock pot with the broth and bay leaf, and let it cook on low for 9 hours.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Stuffed Venison Heart?
It is a hearty dish featuring a venison or beef heart filled with a savory mixture of bacon, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then roasted or slow-cooked until tender.
Can I use beef heart instead of venison?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and can be made with either one venison heart or one beef heart.
How should the heart be prepared before stuffing?
The heart should be thoroughly washed and trimmed of any excess fat, then seasoned on the inside with salt and pepper.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) for the roasting method.
How do I prepare the bacon for the stuffing?
Chop 4 slices of bacon and cook them in a skillet over medium heat until they are almost crispy before adding them to the stuffing mix.
What ingredients are in the stuffing mixture?
The stuffing consists of cooked bacon, soft breadcrumbs, chopped celery, chopped onion, a beaten egg, salt, pepper, thyme, and sage.
What is the purpose of the egg in the recipe?
The slightly beaten egg acts as a binder to help the stuffing ingredients hold together inside the heart.
How do I keep the stuffing from falling out?
Once the heart is filled, use cooking twine or skewers to secure the opening closed.
Is there a specific type of twine I should avoid?
Yes, avoid using any cooking twine that has been treated with linseed oil to ensure the meal remains safe and delicious.
What liquid is used for roasting the heart?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of beef broth to be poured over the heart in the roasting pan.
Should I add any aromatic leaves to the pan?
Yes, add one bay leaf to the roasting pan or crock pot to enhance the flavor of the broth.
How long does it take to bake in the oven?
The stuffed heart should bake for approximately 2 1/2 hours or until it is tender.
Should the roasting pan be covered?
Yes, cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil to help retain moisture during the 2 1/2 hour baking time.
Can this recipe be made in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can place the stuffed heart in a crock pot with the beef broth and bay leaf.
What are the settings for the crock pot method?
Set the crock pot to the low heat setting and let the heart cook for 9 hours.
How many breadcrumbs are needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of soft breadcrumbs.
How much celery and onion should I chop?
You will need 1/2 cup of chopped celery and 1/2 cup of chopped onion.
What herbs provide the main flavor profile?
The primary herbs used are thyme (1/4 tsp) and sage (1/4 to 1/2 tsp).
Is venison heart considered a game meat?
Yes, venison is a game meat, and this recipe is categorized under game meat and cooking with offal.
What type of salt and pepper measurements are used?
Use salt and pepper 'to taste' for the initial seasoning of the heart, and 1/2 teaspoon of each for the stuffing mixture.
Who is this recipe ideal for?
It is perfect for adventurous eaters and those who appreciate 'nose-to-tail' or whole-animal cooking.
Can I use store-bought breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use either fresh or store-bought soft breadcrumbs for the stuffing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 14 ingredients listed for the heart, stuffing, and roasting liquid.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, specific calorie, fat, and macronutrient counts are not provided for this recipe.
Is the heart seasoned twice?
Yes, the heart itself is seasoned directly with salt and pepper, and additional seasoning is included in the stuffing mixture.
What makes this dish a centerpiece?
The unique nature of the stuffed heart and its rich, savory flavor profile make it a substantial and impressive main course.
Are there specific prep instructions for the egg?
The egg should be slightly beaten before being combined with the other stuffing ingredients.
Can I use dried sage?
Yes, you can use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sage, adjusted to your personal taste.
What is the primary category for this recipe?
It is considered a main dish, categorized as comfort food and roasted meat.
Why is it important to trim the fat from the heart?
Trimming excess fat ensures a better texture and prevents the dish from becoming overly greasy during the long cooking process.