Sika Deer Steak
Last Saturday I was kindly given a Sika Deer steak,deep crimson red with a line of ivory coloured fat surrounding the cut.
I was told by Chris from Winterbourne Game that this was one of the finest deer to eat, totally lean and with its own unique flavour where the fat when cooked has a sweet taste to it. Sika is an Asian species but can be found in the US and in a few herd in the UK, some in the New Forest and in the Highlands.
Juniper Berries
To most venison is just the same but it’s not. Sika has a fine grain in the muscle structure and is much leaner so you don’t want to over cook it, a couple of minutes both sides for a stake is all you’ll need.
Pan fried Sika Deer Steak
You don’t want to overpower the flavour of Sika with strong ingredients such as garlic or steak seasoning, a simple dressing of light olive oil with crushed sea Cornish salt, black pepper and one or two crushed juniper berries is all you need, then pan fry at a high heat. Allow to rest and if required de-glaze the pan with a drop of red wine and a small knob of Somerset unsalted butter from the guys at Gilcombe Farm, add half a bay leaf and allow the flavour to infuse .
New season spinach
As new season spinach is around this small leaf variety is an ideal vegetable to serve lightly steamed with piping hot Maris Piper mash.
Finally a good Lodi, Zinfandel or Merlot red wine to go with this.
You can find Winterbourne Game and Gilcombe Farm stalling out at the Barnes Farmers Market each Saturday in SW13 near the iconic village pond. See http://www.somersetorganics.co.uk
Living in a deer park as I do, we have both Fallow and Sika deer in large numbers. Now I wonder whether they would mind if one of our Far Eastern friends vanished and found its way into my frying pan, for educational purposes you understand?
It certainly sounds delightfully mouthwatering. I do enjoy venison but to my knowledge have never had the pleasure of dining on Sika. Mind you if I do get the taste for it they might end up sika the sight of me Doh:-)
Great write up and wonderful site.
Hi there, thanks for your kind words on my blog.
You shoud certainly try some Sika deer if it comes your way. There was a haunch for sales at the farmers market yesterday but too much for me to consume as I live with a veggie and a cut like that needs to be shared with a few bottles of fine red wine.
I follow your write ups and was envious to read that you managed to get out for some roach fishing, tight lines for you.
Unfortunately I’m still full of cold so gave it a miss but I sometimes fish a backwater of the Thames called The Cut near Sunbury or the Allan near Walton both productive for roach and dace.
Would be good to meet one day so if you fancy an afternoon out let me know a warm late June afternoon will soon be upon us.
Just dusting off the fly rod now for a few brown trout days.
Cheers for now.
Not heard of either of those two backwaters. It’s amazing what these tiny tributaries can throw up sometimes.
A warm late June afternoon sounds too good to turn down, thank you. I’ll be in touch and good luck with the fluff fliging.
Sorry, River Ash not Allan as I noted incorrectly