Let Food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food
Hippocrates said “Let Food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food” and since he is known as the “Father of Medicine” there must be something to it. I do believe that knowing where you food comes from is important but it is also important to know what good food can do for you. So this is the start of a series of recipes that will pair the wonderful game you harvest with other foods that have healing qualities.
Venison - Many of you hunters know that venison is very low in fat but did you know that it is also high in iron and contain vitamins B1 and B3 which help keep your metabolism in good shape. It is also a good source of B6 and B12 which help keep arteries healthy.
Blueberries - Are known for containing antioxidants and they also contain antibacterial compounds. Blueberries are good for supporting vision, improving memory, maintaining a healthy gut and prostate and can even be useful in treating Urinary Tract Infections.
Steaks with Blueberry Sauce
4 Venison steaks
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Season both sides of the steaks with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Heat a cast iron skillet or a Panini pan with a little olive oil over medium high heat or a grill to high and sear the steaks on each side until they are at the desired doneness. I recommend to cook the meat rare, so that the meat will melt in your mouth. Plate and spoon over the sauce and serve immediately.
Blueberry Sauce
1 cup of water
2 cups of blueberries
1 tablespoon blackberry jam
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Dash of salt
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1/2 cup of cranberry juice with no added sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
Bring the water to a boil then add the blueberries, jam, pepper and salt. Cover and turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk together the cornstarch and juice and then slowly pour into the berry mixture, stirring constantly. Simmer another 10 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Place the mixture in a food processor and add the cayenne pepper and onion powder. Pulse approximately 10 times just to coarsely chop the berries.
