Meat
Venison
Also called deer meat, reindeer, poro, renkött, game meat, elk
Meat from deer, and in the Nordic countries from reindeer, which is farmed and herded rather than hunted. Dark, fine-grained and very lean.
Origin
Hunted wild across Europe and North America; reindeer herding is the livelihood of the Sámi in Lapland.
Flavour
Deeper and more mineral than beef, with a clean iron finish. Reindeer is milder and sweeter than red deer. Neither should taste strong if handled fresh.
How to use it
Lean meat means fast heat or long braises, nothing in between. Sear loin and rest it pink; braise shoulder slowly with stock; slice frozen haunch thin for a sauté like poronkäristys. Butter, cream, juniper, lingonberry and mushrooms are the usual company.
Storage
Refrigerate, well wrapped, for up to 3 days. Freezes well for 6 months; slicing it thin is easier while still half frozen.
