Venison Loaf, With Cajun Frites & Beans

Things are pure madness in this household right now…I know, how many times can I say that? But for reals. The new babe is due in a couple of months (Aug. 1) we’re still doing work on the new house, my Etsy Shop/Off-line sales are KA-booming, the new gig as Social Media Consultant for Borealis Records is not the new one anymore. I’ve just taken a contract with a *yet to be officially announced until i commence on June 1st* on-line parenting/news wire. Oh boy. How do I do it? Well, the WSL is in daycare 3 days per week, I have a pretty awesome man who helps out around the house (sometimes with a gentle prod, nibble or goose), great friends who really support me and help keep me sane.

But seriously – I am also sourcing out. Hiring a weekly cleaner for one. I’m posting a Craiglist & Kijiji job ad looking to hire a part-time/seasonal seamstress. This means creating a Policy & Procedure Manual, measurement & stitch flow charts and finishing some of my templates/patterns and the training that will ensue, but yes. In the long-run will cause me less stress, manic: holy-shit-I have-all-these-Etsy-orders-and-crap-I-have to-do-research-for-that-article-and-finish-writing-it-oh-and-the-laundry-mountain-is-growing-past-my-comfort-level-what’s for-dinner-ew-that-ring-around-the-tub-has-to-go-I-have-to-plant-my-garden-like-yesterday-get-on-hootsuite-and-stay-there-try-to-keep-up-to-date-on-all-things-indie/folk-music-industry/deadlines-tackle-mountain-of-admin-oy.-the-inbox-overfloweth-respond-to-people-now-lest-you-value-your-life-and…and, yea.

Less of that manic state more of; ahhh, I have time to breathe now and then. Time to play with my boy; endlessly read him stories, make art with him, do the ABC’s and 1,2,3’s, take him carousing, exploring, discovering, teach, nurture, promote and support his spiritual and mental growth/health – DAILY. Above all else, those things up there? They are THE most important things in my life. Time to still enjoy my passion for cooking and sourcing my groceries locally/organically? Time for other forms of  lovin’and to actually enjoy life? Time for me? Well that’s important too. It is necessary to keep this balance, somehow without loosing it. Which I have done twice in the past week. In the totally overwhelmed, stress hits the nervous system in a physically nauseating way and the tears roll. That’s not good. For me, my family or the baby I’m growing. So. I learn, I re-evaluate and change what needs to be changed. All I can do is try and be somewhat sensible/realistic about it. But yes, I’ll always be a wack-a-doodle with many things on the go.

Really though, this post is a recipe for Venison loaf. Raaaandom. That’s me. I like to mix it up. Keep ya on your toes. Be a nerd with my writing antics.

The Loaf

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground venison (local/organic)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Breadcrumbs (2 slices of stale/toasted crumbled up bread yo)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon keen’s spicy mustard or dijon
  • minced cilantro, 1/2 cup
  • sauteed till translucent: 1 diced yellow cooking onion, 1 diced celery stalk with 3 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1 dash paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 4-6 splashes of worcestershire sauce
  • 3 medium glugs of soya sauce
  • 1/2 can of plum tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste

The Frites:

  • However many peeps you are feeding get ’em one sweet potato each. Leftovers make for great toddler snacks. Yes toddlers can eat some cajun spice here and there.
  • Olive or sunflower oil
  • Herbamare & cajun spice

How You Do:

Heat some oil and butter in a large saute pan over a medium heat. Add the diced onions and celery and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Set aside.

In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs; add tomato’s, tomato paste crumbs, salt and pepper and the rest of your loaf ingredients! Add venison and mix well. Press into an ungreased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Now onto your sweet potato cajun frites. Scrub dutifully, chop into frites and toss in a big bowl. Drizzle generously with oil of your choice, sprinkle with Herbamare and cajun spice to coat. Shake and stir to evenly distribute. Spread this goodness on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 70 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness if unsure. Don’t forget to peep on and intermittently turn your frites so they don’t burn and crisp up fairly on all sides. Serve with your choice of veg/salad. We had green beans.

Where’s my pretty plate-up? Pioneer Woman I’m not. Not dissing said woman of the wild frontier – she’s got it going on. Major book deals, movies, etc. It’s because she’s seamless, consistent and takes TONS of  pretty pictures among a myriad of other Wonder Woman-esque things. Hoolllllaaaaa!

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