We’re not hunters – far from it actually. Austin wouldn’t even hurt a fly. Literally. One time there was a giant centipede crawling close to the ceiling, and I tried to squish it with a shoe but couldn’t reach it (even jumping as high as I could. Impressed him with my 3 inch vertical). When I handed him the shoe and asked him to get it, he walked out and returned a minute later with a ladder. “Here you go.” You can’t make this stuff up. *shakes head*
That being said, we’re totally on board with taking generous donations of fresh game from our hunter friends. I feel like I should use it in some crazy extravagant dish since we so rarely get venison, but I always seem to struggle brainstorming ideas. So this time, I went with good old fashioned comfort food. Pasta with meatballs it is! Our whole family (including my mama and our newly one-year old kiddo) gobbled these down. I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t love pasta and meatballs?!
If you don’t have access to venison or don’t like the gamey flavor, ground pork / turkey / beef will do. Keep in mind: venison is pretty lean and more flavorful (especially than turkey). So you may need to add less moisture/fat if you use a meat that isn’t as lean. You may need to up the spices as well.
I’m a huge believer in tasting food as you go for seasoning. I NEVER trust a recipe for exact seasonings, and you shouldn’t either! Everyone’s tastes are different and you may need more or less of a certain spice depending on how old your spices are, how airtight their containers, etc. Always use a recipe as a guideline for seasoning, not a rule.
But wait, how will I know whether I need more flavor when I’m cooking venison? You want me to taste raw meat? Disgusting! Unsanitary! You heathen!
Before you berate me for advocating unsafe food practices, I give you my secret weapon when making meatloaf, meatballs, burgers, etc…enter the tester patty. The concept is simple: after you finish assembling your meatball mixture, form a small amount into a tiny patty and heat it in a pan until cooked through.
Take a bite. Is it delicious? Great, start rolling meatballs! Does it need more seasoning? Adjust as needed. It’s a taste test that’s simple, effective and quick. Unless of course you love the tester patty so much that you end up having to make another one. And another. And before you know it, you’ve “tasted” half of your meatballs before dinner. What? Who? Nothing to see here…. *avoids eye contact*
[cooked-recipe id=”956″]
