Vietnamese-Inspired Venison and Watercress Salad
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This quick and easy salad is perfect for a light supper or hearty lunch and carries bold Southeast Asian flavors.
Most of the ingredients can be found in big brand grocery stores, but you may struggle finding toasted/roasted rice powder. This ingredient is used in many Vietnamese dishes and adds a very unique gritty texture that is actually enjoyable and can be found in any Asian grocery store. Feel free to omit it, or make your own by checking out a tutorial online (it’s easy!).
Wild watercress is so nice, but store-bought will work just fine, as would any sturdy, leafy green, like mature spinach, Asian choys, or romaine lettuce.
Serves: 2
Time to make: 40 minutes
Also make with: elk, moose, bison, pronghorn
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Vietnamese-Inspired Venison and Watercress Salad
2
servings30
minutes10
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1/2 lb venison round or loin cut into bite-sized strips
Salt
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon 5-spice powder
1 tablespoon oil or lard
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch (~1/2lb) watercress, large stems removed
1 large , or two small, tomatoes cut into small wedges
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon roasted rice powder (optional)
1 red chili, minced
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon neutral oil
2 teaspoons water
Preparation
- Season venison strips generously with the salt, pepper, and the 5-spice powder.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat and add 1 of the cloves of minced garlic. Fry until crispy (remove as it turns golden – watch out, garlic burns quickly and continues to cook for a few seconds after removing it from the pan!). Transfer the crispy garlic from the skillet to a large bowl, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Increase heat to high and add the meat. Fry until lightly browned on outside and still pink in the middle, about 4 minutes or so. Add to the bowl with the garlic, along with any juices.
- Add the watercress, tomatoes, shallot, and rice powder to the bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, along with the other 2 cloves of minced garlic to a small bowl and mix well. Add it to the salad and toss to dress. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
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