RECIPE: Venison Chops with Curried Butter and Jeweled Saffron Rice
These Venison Chops with a Curried Butter Drizzle and Jeweled Saffron Rice is undoubtedly special occasion worthy! The golden-colored rice brings the perfect combination of savory flavor enhanced by pops of sweetness from dried fruits and pistachios. To really take it up a notch, try using Rogan Josh curry powder - this reddish spice will add a sweeter profile than traditional yellow turmeric-based curries- although any type of curry powder can also be used.
Mark Cockcroft
Ingredients
- 1 pack Maui Nui venison rib chops or rib racks (cut into individual chops)
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 - 1/2 cups water
- 1 - 1/2 tsp curry powder
- Large pinch saffron
- 1/4 cup dried apricots (about 6), minced
- 1/4 cup raisins or currents
- 4 tbsp roasted pistachios (3 Tbsp chopped and 1 Tbsp finely minced to a crumble/coarse dust)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, divided
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado), divided
DIRECTIONS
In a medium sauce pot, add 1 tbsp of oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion, saffron, and ¾ tsp salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is just starting to brown.
Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring often.
Next add the rice and cook, stirring often, until the grains are all coated with oil and beginning to become translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the water, apricot, and raisins and stir to incorporate.
Bring to a boil, cover, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes then remove from the heat and let sit covered to rest for 10 minutes.
While rice is resting, add remaining 1 Tbsp oil to a large sauté pan and place over medium-high heat. Season the rib chops with the remaining ¾ tsp salt and add to the pan. Cook to your desired degree of doneness, turning every minute or so. For medium-rare doneness takes about 5-6 minutes total. When the chops are done remove them to a platter to rest.
Turn the heat down to medium and add the shallot. If the pan looks dry add another ½ Tbsp oil. Cook until the shallot has softened, about 2 minutes. Add the curry powder, stir to incorporate, and cook for about a minute.
Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and the butter, stirring until the butter has just melted. Taste and add salt as needed.
*Note Some curry powders can be a bit astringent so you can add a pinch of sugar or a drop or two of honey to balance things out if necessary.
Add the 3 Tbsp chopped pistachios and cilantro to the rice and fluff with a fork. Divide the rice among plates and top with the chops. Drizzle some of the curry butter sauce over the chops and/or around the plates and sprinkle with some of the pistachio dust/crumbles. Enjoy!