Pan-fried venison with sloe gin & plum sauce

• juniper berries6

  Finely chopped

• venison↗2

  steaks

• butter↗15g g
• plums↗3

  2 quartered, 1 finely chopped

• garlic clove↗1

  finely chopped

• sloe gin↗3 tbsp tbsp

  (or use 2 tsp port)

• hot beef stock125ml ml

  made with 1 tbsp liquid beef stock (or gluten-free alternative)

• thyme sprigs↗
• wilted spinach

  to serve (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Press the juniper and lots of black pepper onto the steaks. Heat the butter in a frying pan until foaming, add the plum quarters and the steaks. Cook to your liking, turning halfway through. Remove and keep warm.

2. 2

   Tip the chopped plum and garlic into the pan juices and cook, stirring, until softened. Pour in the sloe gin, allow to sizzle, then add the hot stock. When the plums are really soft, press the mixture through a sieve to remove the skins. Try to get as much pulp through as you can, as this will add flavour and body to the sauce. If it's too thick, add a dash of boiling water.

3. 3

   Put the steaks on warmed plates, top with the plum quarters and spoon round some sauce. Scatter over the thyme and a little black pepper. Serve with Fennel Dauphinoise (see 'Goes well with', right) and wilted spinach.