Grilled Venison Chops
Both venison and blackberries are farmed these days, but they were once procured in the wild, by early American hunters and foragers. I like to think that this dish is one that would have been at home—in essence if not preparation—on the table of pioneers first settling the woods of northern Wisconsin and Michigan. Blackberries have a tart edge to their fruity flavor, which enlivens the richness of nutty brown butter. The sauce is hit with just a hint of sage, and its slightly woodsy flavor brings out the still-wild-at-heart nature of the berries. Sage is a potent herb, and you need to employ it in small doses. If you can’t find or aren’t a fan of venison, lamb or even pork chops would work in its place.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the grill to high or heat a grill pan over high heat.
Step 2
Brush both sides of the chops with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Put on the grill and grill until golden brown and slightly charred, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, flip the chops, and continue cooking until cooked to medium-rare, about 8 minutes longer. Transfer to a platter, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Step 3
While the venison is resting, melt the butter in a medium sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced sage leaves and cook, occasionally stirring and turning the leaves, until the edges curl and the butter is dark amber but not black or burned, about 5 minutes. Add the blackberries to the butter and cook for 20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Spoon some of the butter onto 4 large plates, top with the veal chops, and spoon some of the blackberries and butter over each chop. Garnish with fresh sage leaves.
