Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons juniper berries
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 2 teaspoons dried or fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 (3-pound) boneless venison leg roast or turkey breast, trimmed and tied
  • 1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
  • 4 teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 4 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 4 teaspoons black peppercorns
  • 4 teaspoons juniper berries
  • 6 cups fresh cranberries (about 12 ounces)
  • 1 1/2 cups red wine, such as pinot noir
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup undiluted orange juice concentrate
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 6 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 Braeburn, Jonathan, Gala, or Red Delicious apples, cored and halved lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 bunches firm red or white chard, stemmed
  • 1/4 cup apple cider (or cider residue from baked apples)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

  • To prepare venison: In a spice grinder or food processor, grind the peppercorns, juniper berries, fennel seeds, and thyme together.
  • Mix with 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and rub on the venison.
  • Cover and let stand in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours.
  • Remove the venison from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to come to room temperature.
  • To make the cranberry sauce: In a food processor or spice grinder, coarsely grind the cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves, peppercorns, and juniper berries together.
  • Place in a cheesecloth square and tie closed with a string.
  • In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, wine, vinegar, sugar, and orange juice concentrate.
  • Add the spice bundle and bring the liquid to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cranberries are very soft.
  • Remove the spice bundle, pour the sauce into a bowl, and let cool.
  • Use now, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • Bring to room temperature before serving.
  • While the cranberry sauce cools, make the baked apples: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, cook the cider, vinegar, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and butter for 5 minutes.
  • Place the apples, cut-side down, in a baking pan.
  • Pour the cider mixture over the apples.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until semisoft; set aside and keep warm, or reheat just before serving.
  • To make the venison: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 4 tablespoons oil and brown the venison on all sides.
  • Place on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for about 50 minutes for medium-rare.
  • For medium-done, roast 6 to 7 minutes longer.
  • Remove the venison from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • To make the chard: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the chard and apple cider and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • To serve, transfer the venison to a platter and arrange the apples beside it.
  • Divide the chard and cranberry sauce between bowls.
  • Serve.