Koji Marinated Venison Loin with Porcini Mushrooms Recipe

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Koji Marinated Venison Loin with Porcini Mushrooms and Dashi Barley

This recipe combines the flavors of European game with a “rediscovered” Japanese marinating technique. The accompanying salad is composed of elements both foraged locally and harvested from the Jordan Estate garden. The many layers of umami in textures here pair perfectly with Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ingredients

1 pound farmed venison loin, trimmed and cut into two blocks
2 fresh porcini mushrooms
½ cup cooked barley
6 Tbsp Umeboshi vinaigrette
¼ cup purslane (sea beans may be substituted)
6 pickled prunes, sliced
6 brown turkey or black mission figs, finely diced and seasoned with salt and pepper
2 shallots, finely sliced
¼ cup black walnuts, chopped
6 shiso leaves, julienned
1 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fleur de sel
Tarragon sprigs

For the Koji marinade

2 Tbsp shio koji
1 tsp porcini powder
6 juniper berries, crushed
12 black peppercorns, cracked
2 cloves black garlic, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf, crushed
2 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

For the dashi barley

1 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 slice of fresh ginger
1 cup hull-less barley
3 cups dashi (vegetable or chicken stock may be substituted)

For the Umeboshi vinaigrette

1 ½ Tbsp Umeboshi paste
½ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tsp Sonoma wildflower honey
½ tsp kosher salt
1 scallion, finely sliced
1 Tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
1 Tbsp Mirin rice wine
½ cup black walnut oil
½ cup Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ingredients

1 pound farmed venison loin, trimmed and cut into two blocks
2 fresh porcini mushrooms
½ cup cooked barley
6 Tbsp Umeboshi vinaigrette
¼ cup purslane (sea beans may be substituted)
6 pickled prunes, sliced
6 brown turkey or black mission figs, finely diced and seasoned with salt and pepper
2 shallots, finely sliced
¼ cup black walnuts, chopped
6 shiso leaves, julienned
1 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fleur de sel
Tarragon sprigs

For the Koji marinade

2 Tbsp shio koji
1 tsp porcini powder
6 juniper berries, crushed
12 black peppercorns, cracked
2 cloves black garlic, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf, crushed
2 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

For the dashi barley

1 Tbsp Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 slice of fresh ginger
1 cup hull-less barley
3 cups dashi (vegetable or chicken stock may be substituted)

For the Umeboshi vinaigrette

1 ½ Tbsp Umeboshi paste
½ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tsp Sonoma wildflower honey
½ tsp kosher salt
1 scallion, finely sliced
1 Tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
1 Tbsp Mirin rice wine
½ cup black walnut oil
½ cup Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions

serves 6-12

Combine all marinade ingredients in a non-reactive pan or plastic storage bag. Add the venison loin blocks and gently massage the marinade into the meat. Refrigerate overnight. The next day, blot the loin dry, lightly brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper (use half as much salt as you normally would as the koji is seasoned). Heat a stainless steel or cast iron skillet to medium-high and sear the loin on all sides. Transfer the seared loin to a baking dish and finish in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. When the loin reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees, remove from the oven, chill and reserve. Deglaze and film the skillet over medium-high heat. Thinly slice the porcini mushrooms, season both sides with salt and pepper and quickly sear on one side only (they should just color). Remove to a cool plate and reserve.

For the dashi barley, add olive oil, ginger and barley to a heavy-bottom sauce pot and toast over medium-high heat until fragrant. Carefully add dashi and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender (approximately 45-50 minutes). Season and reserve.

To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients except for the oils in a non-reactive bowl. While whisking, slowly add the oils to emulsify. Adjust seasoning and reserve.

To plate, combine purslane, pickled prunes, figs, shallots, black walnuts, shiso leaves and oil in a non-reactive bowl and gently toss to combine. Season with the vinaigrette and toss once more. Spoon the salads equally onto six plates and top with a slice of venison. Coat the venison with a teaspoon of the vinaigrette and garnish with fleur de sel and a sprig of tarragon.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

Every bottle of Jordan is crafted with food in mind. The elegant balance between fruit, acidity, tannin and alcohol found in our Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon make them versatile for a variety of food & wine pairings. We’ve selected a few vintages that we believe will complement or contrast flavors in this recipe perfectly.

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