Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/25/2008 12:10 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/25/2008 12:12 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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"Grilled Venison with Blackberry Glaze"~By Jenny Baxter of Jenny's Kitchen
Greetings from Flaming Gorge Utah....When my sister, Peggy, and brother-in-law, John, suggested that we camp at Flaming Gorge I was somewhat hesitant. I had visions of sleeping on the hard earth in a crowded tent, taking a sponge bath around the ol’ campfire, cooking on a camp stove, what a challenge that is, and seeing campsite after campsite with laundry hung over a cord stretched between two trees, ice chests lined up in rows, dilapidated wooden picnic tables full of fishing poles, food staples, and board games, just like the times I camped with my family growing up. Boy was I in for a treat!....
When my brother-in-law pulled up in his new truck pulling this exquisite trailer complete with bathtub, shower, soft beds, gas stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator/freezer, automatic ice maker, washer/dryer, central vacuum, satellite TV, stereo system complete with surround sound, 2 flat screen TV’s, retractable front porch, dining table and clothes closets I was the first one in the truck! Boy has the word “camping” changed!
Flaming Gorge, this eastern Utah jewel, is a mini Grand Canyon. Ashley Forest houses a beautiful forest-green tinted river, Green River, which meanders through the gorge. This gorgeous river set against the brick red canyon walls is breath-taking as the sun shines on its’ pine studded sides. Before it ends up spilling into the Colorado, it offers many pleasures to its visitors. We saw water skiers skirting over the top of the water, houseboats leisurely drifting over the man-made waves, canoes gliding around the edge of the river and fishing boats laden with the days catch as we gazed out the floor to ceiling windows in the visitor’s center built on a point over the gorge. Taking in a movie about how this wonder of the world was discovered enlightened my knowledge of an area I want to visit time and time again. Wanting to make sure that I saw almost everything we set out to take a tour of the dam. It was an experience riding the elevators down listening to the many languages being spoken in such a small cubicle. After we viewed the turbans, that run the dam, we decided to journey off to the look out towers. These towers are manned by volunteers who take their turns in shifts looking for fires. This magnificent area also housed a quaint village called Dutch John. Another must see spot is Oscar Swett Ranch an old homestead with hundreds of hummingbird feeders. Those energetic little creatures fly right up to your head and the sound of their wings is almost deafening. Back at Flaming Gorge Lodge we decided to dine the first night. This old rustic lodge offers tourist a unique restaurant highlighting game choices as part of their menu. If you like the taste of buffalo, pheasant or venison this is the place to be.
Grilled Venison with Blackberry Glaze
Marinate:
3 cups red wine
One chopped onion
4 toes minced garlic
2 bay leaves
1./2 cup balsamic vinegar
6 thyme leaves de-stemmed
Cracked pepper and sea salt to taste
Combine all the ingredients and place into a container.
Add: 2-3 lb. venison loin.
Marinate overnight turning once.
Drain the venison and grill to desired doneness. While the venison is grilling, brush with the blackberry glaze. Cut the loin into chops and glaze again. Serves 5-6
Blackberry Glaze
One chopped onion
2 Tablespoons Calaveras Mandarin Orange Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons crushed juniper berries
1 sprig thyme de-stemmed
2 cups red wine
Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
Sauté the onion in the hot oil for about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add:
¼ cup crushed blackberries
Continue to cook for 10-15 minutes until the glaze is reduced and coats the back of a spoon.
Keep It Sensuously Simple (a food tip from Jenny) Juniper berries look similar to black peppercorns. The best way to crush them is in a coffee grinder. If you do not have a grinder, then place the berries between two pieces of waxed paper and gently hit them with a hammer.
The sites of Nature are unbelievable in this park! I saw three rams scaling the side of the mountain and that morning, when I opened the drapes there were deer grazing on the trees in the backyard. My brother-in-law challenged me to a fish-off to see who could catch the largest lake trout. The winner did not have to clean any fish, prepare them or even clean up the mess. I am wondering how this is going to work if I lose, since I cannot stand to touch the worms so John baits my pole. Peggy, where are you?
Well, it’s thyme to go.
Jenny Baxter
Jenny’s Kitchen
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