Freezer full of venison? Try these ideas
Have you looked in your freezer lately? Do you still have deer meat stacked so deep that you can't tell what cuts are in the back?
We try hard all fall to shoot enough deer so we can eat venison throughout the year, but you do realize there are only four months until the fall seasons begin anew, don't you?
It's time to start whittling away at that store of venison. While it's easy to know what to do with ground meat and the special cuts like tenderloin and backstrap, what about all those non-descript chunks of meat and the packs mysteriously labeled as roasts?
Roasts are actually one of the easiest cuts of venison to use and use quickly. My favorite way to use roasts is to cook them ahead of time and then eat them in one of several fast, delicious meals.
For the initial cooking, which is about as simple as it gets, you'll need a crock pot or other slow cooker. Place the roast in the cooker in the evening with a half cup of cider vinegar, a tablespoon of pickling spice and enough water to cover.
Cook all night on low. The next morning remove the meat, discard the liquid and store the meat in the refrigerator until you're ready to use. It will last several days.
From that point there are three ways I like to use the meat. The first is heated with brown beef gravy, either with a side of mashed potatoes or like a hot roast beef and gravy sandwich.
The next option is to take a fork and shred the roast, which will be so tender it will practically fall apart, and use for fajitas, adding seasonings, onions and peppers.
Finally, and probably the easiest, is to slice the cold meat, stack it between two slices of bread with mayo and Swiss cheese and enjoy a fine venison sandwich.
Think your freezer is too full and you'll never eat it all before next season?
Try this simple method and before summer is over you'll be wondering where it all went.
Just don't blame me when you don't have enough venison to tide you over until bow season.
Junior Hunter Field Day: The Maryland DNR is once again hosting a series of Junior Hunter Field Days, with one planned for our area at the Somerset County Fairgrounds for June 17, 8:30am - 1:30pm. Open to the first 100 kids aged 8-16 who register before June 6, the Field Day is a great event covering hunting, trapping and wildlife conservation. There will be plenty of hands on activities and instruction for the kids. If your child has an interest in the outdoors this is guaranteed to be for them. The easiest way to register is online at the DNR website, www.dnr.maryland.gov or by calling 410-219-8418. If you are on the upper Shore the Field Day for that region is at the Sudlersville Skeet Club on June 3rd.
Outdoor Calendar
Through May 13: Virginia spring wild turkey season.
Through May 15: Chesapeake spring striped bass trophy season, main Bay only, one per day, 35 inch minimum.
May 16-31: Chesapeake striped bass season, main bay, Tangier and Pocomoke sounds, mouth of Chester, Patuxant and Choptank rivers, two fish daily 20 inch minimum, only one over 28 inches.
Through May 23: Maryland spring wild turkey season.
May 27-28: 8th Annual Ocean City Marlin Club Blue Fish Tournament, OC Marlin Club, Ocean City MD, 410-213-1613.
June 1 - December 20: Chesapeake striped bass season, main Bay and all tributaries, two fish daily 20 inch minimum, only one over 28 inches.
June 2-4: 21st Annual Mid-Atlantic Mako Mania, Bahia Marina, Ocean City MD, 410-289-7473.
Through June 15: Maryland tidal water largemouth bass size limit increases to 15 inch minimum.
Through June 15: Maryland non-tidal water largemouth bass season closed, catch & release fishing is permitted.
June 17: Junior Hunter Field Day, Somerset County Fairgrounds, limited to 100 kids age 8-16, must pre-register by June 6 at www.dnr.maryland.gov .