A friend of mine just brought me in deer steaks and deer roast. I know it's tougher than other meat but I have never cooked it before. Does anyone have any helpful hints? Thanks.

-- mindy (speciallady@countrylife.net), November 27, 2001

Answers

Hi Mindy! One of my great uncles ran a restaurant in southern Ohio years ago. It was common for them to use wild meat in the restaurant back them. His method of cooking deer steaks is still one of my favorites.

Just put the steaks in a large bowl, and cover with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water. I like red-wine or cider vinegar. You can use white, but it is strong! I probably use a little more than half vinegar too. Leave in the frig all day. Before cooking, drain and rinse a little. Cook as normal.

I usually roll the steaks in flour, add a lot of spices like garlic, pepper, and mixed herbs and brown them in a hot skillet. Then I add a few cups of water or beef broth (cold) and make gravy. Put the gravy on biscuits, make mashed potatoes and a salad, and this is an awesome meal. I think I will have it for supper tonight!!

How did your turkey turn out? How did you cook it? Just wondering!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 27, 2001.

You could always freeze it til Christmas and we could share it. But find out if you need to soak it in the vinegar before freezing. :~}

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), November 27, 2001.

You can soak it after it is frozen. I just put it frozen in the water/vinegar mixture and by supper time it is thawed and ready to cook.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 27, 2001.

Melissa,I tried your method. I filled the bottom of the pan with water turned it breast side down and covered with aluminum foil baked on 200 degrees overnight. It was very tender in the morning but I think I over cooked it later that day when I turned it up to heat it. It was still good just not as tender. I was sick and wasn't paying much attention. I didn't make gravy but the next day I made cream turkey on toast. The kids like it. Thanks for the advice. I ended up using stove top instead of making my own dressing.

I plan on really cooking it up for Christmas though. I am going to the doctor today and hopefully that will be the end of the sick season for us.

-- mindy (speciallady@countrylife.net), November 27, 2001.