Here at Mindful Chef we’re passionate about making healthy eating easier. We’ve decided to showcase some of our favourite healthy and delicious recipes each month to show the nation you can eat better without sacrificing on flavour. Read on to find out what this month’s recipe is, and what health benefits it can bring you.
This month we’ve chosen to highlight one of our favourite venison recipes. This twist on a classic British cottage pie is a great way to warm up on a chilly evening with a satisfying, healthy dinner.
Venison Cottage Pie with Parsnip Mash
This delicious venison cottage pie is one of the simplest venison recipes out there! This recipe makes the most of vitamin B12-dense British venison. This lean, subtly flavoured wild meat is delicious in a simple cottage pie. Here, we’ve topped it with sweet parsnip mash and served it alongside crunchy green beans and roasted carrots.
- Cook time: 40 mins
- Allergens: Celery, Sulphites
- Cuisine: British
- Key ingredient: Succulent wild British venison
- Serves: 4
This is one of those venison recipes that works for smaller servings and makes great leftovers for easy-to-solve after-work hunger!
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 476kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 54g
- Fat: 14g
Recipe Health Points
Venison is a high-quality source of protein. A great way to keep your muscles working properly. It’s also low in saturated fats than other red meats, as well as a source of iron, both helpful for heart health. Venison is also a source of zinc (good for the immune system) and vitamin B12 (good for brain health). So, choosing venison recipes is always a good idea for a healthy food choice.
Parsnips are similar to carrots and parsley roots, have a creamy texture when cooked and a sweet, slightly nutty flavour. They are also rich in antioxidants, which look after the cells in your body. They’re also a source of fibre, helping your body digest food and keep your guy healthy.
To make the most of the health benefits of venison, take a look at our selection of venison recipes to find something you’re bound to love.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious masterpiece you’ll want to enjoy again and again. Notice we’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and stodge-free! It’s just good, easy to find ingredients and delicious flavours in our healthy recipes.
- 2 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
- 4 x carrot
- 200g celery
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 3 garlic clove
- 1 brown onion
- 4 x parsnip
- 1 beef stock cube
- 1 handful of fresh thyme
- 4 tbsp tomato puree
- 400g wild venison mince
- 180g green beans
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C / fan 180C / gas mark 6. Boil a kettle.
- Peel the carrots, slice into batons, then place onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 tbsp oil; season with sea salt and black pepper. Remove the leaves from half the thyme stalks and sprinkle over the top. Mix then transfer the tray to the oven, baking for 20-25 mins, until cooked and turning golden.
- Peel the parsnips, then cut into 1cm cubes. Place into a saucepan and cover with boiling water. Simmer for 15 mins, until cooked, then drain and mash with a potato masher. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Meanwhile, pour 200ml boiling water into a measuring jug, then add the beef stock cube, aged balsamic and tomato puree. Mix well. Thinly slice the celery. Peel the onion and finely dice. Finely dice or crush the garlic.
- Heat a large frying pan with 1 tbsp oil on a medium-high heat. Add the venison mince and cook for 5 mins, until brown, then add the celery, onion and garlic. Cook for a further 5 mins, until the veggies soften. Remove the remaining leaves from the thyme stalks and add to the pan. Pour in the beef stock and add the chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 15 mins, until the sauce thickens.
- Spoon the mince into an ovenproof dish and spread the mashed parsnips over the top. Cook in the oven for 10-15 mins, until bubbling and turning golden.
- Meanwhile, clean the saucepan used to boil the parsnips. Place the green beans into the pan and cover with boiling water; boil for 3-4 mins, until cooked, then drain. Mix the green beans through the roasted carrots. Divide the cottage pie between warm plates, and serve with the carrots and green beans. Eat and enjoy!
If you try this venison recipe, or any of our other venison recipes, we’d love to hear from you! Tag us on social media and show us your healthy creations.
More from Mindful Chef
Want more healthy recipes? We have over 1000 delicious, healthy recipes for you to choose from. Whether a lover of beef recipes, chicken recipes, vegan recipes, or fish recipes, we have more than enough choice for you. Take a look and get cooking!
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