The Deerslayer's Wife
Embracing the Hunting Lifestyle
Hunters, Read This Before It’s Too Late!
Okay, this isn’t actually an emergency. But it IS one of those things that needs to be said early in the hunting season. Read on.
As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Hank Shaw, celebrated author of several outstanding wild game cookbooks and my go-to source for anything related to cooking wild game, foraging or fishing. About a year ago, as I was leafing through my copy of Hank’s cookbook, Buck, Buck, Moose (available at Amazon, walmart.com, and Barnes & Noble) I stumbled upon several recipes that really piqued my interest. Unfortunately, the recipes required venison shanks. It never really dawned on me that I wouldn’t have the correct cut of meat needed to prepare the feast. I’ve always been a huge proponent of using every inch of any animal that my Deerslayer harvests. And yet I stood in front of an open freezer looking for a key ingredient that I didn’t have.
Thus the warning! Don’t toss those shanks away. If you know that a delicious meal can be had, why would you?
The recipe that I decided to try was Hank’s Braised Venison Shanks with Garlic.
You can find his recipe and directions here.
- The recipe calls for the shanks to be browned on all sides (except the shin side) in a container large enough to hold them. That was tricky. The only thing I could find large enough to accommodate the shanks was my turkey roaster. I have to admit that it didn’t work great because it doesn’t conduct heat like cast iron but it got the job done.
The masterful photographs that accompany Mr. Shaw’s recipes are beyond compare. When I tried to serve my shanks “on the bone”, they rolled off the plate and made a mess. I cut the meat from the bones, which didn’t make as beautiful a presentation, but saved my tablecloth… and rug and clothing.
An outstanding dish…. loved by all.
Save the leftovers. I have another recipe for them!
The Deerslayer's Wife 
You made garlicky shanks without me?! I’m feeling so betrayed, right now.
Don’t forget, I now have a fresh batch of shanks that I will fix just for you! I had to have a practice run, you know. xoxo
Shanks are my second favorite cut now!
I need to try this one.
Please do and let me know how it turns out.
It looks very delicious. Some rosemary, mash and peas. I would eat that anyday!!!!
When the daughters saw this post, they insisted that I prepare it when everyone is home from college for the holidays.