Kolb Homestead Venison Lasagna

Chef Daniel Orr adds that there is a wonderful way to use venison instead of just the usual burgers or patties for a Christmas dish. Here’s his delightful lasagna recipe.

Ingredients

Serves 6

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground venison

1 medium or large sweet onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 (8-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (8-ounce) can tomato paste

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons dry red wine

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon oregano

¼ cup roughly chopped parsley

1 teaspoon fennel seed

1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste

1 tablespoon local honey

Cheese filling

2 cups low-fat cottage cheese (or ricotta)

1 extra large egg, beaten

1/2 cup grated Romano and Parmesan cheese mixture

2 teaspoons parsley, roughly chopped

¼ cup fresh basil, torn

½ dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in warm water, roughly chopped (reduce the remaining water to a tablespoon or two and add to the meat mixture)

2 teaspoons truffle oil, if desired

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

To make sauce, sauté onions until starting to caramelize. Add venison and garlic and cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes and seasoning and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer on low, covered, for 30 minutes. Add wine, reserved mushroom juice from cheese mixture and honey and simmer uncovered on low for an additional 15 minutes. For filling, whisk egg and blend into cheese, mushroom, truffle oil, and spices, stirring well to break up cottage cheese and egg into a smooth mixture. Cook 10 lasagna noodles and drain, patting dry with a paper towel. Spoon a few ounces of meat sauce mix in the bottom of a lightly greased 9-by-14-inch pan. Top with layer of lasagna noodles. Spread with cheese mixture and then top with meat sauce, repeating the layers. Sprinkle the top with a bit more Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes, until it is beginning to brown and bubble just at the edges. Let sit for 10 minutes and then serve with late-season arugula.

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