Witchin’ in the Kitchen at the Bubbling Cauldron

2 thick slices of lemon
2 thick slices of orange
2 slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 small bay leaf
2 cups fresh cranberries
4 pounds boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped juniper berries
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered, until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the cranberries, then remove from heat and cool.
Transfer the mixture to a glass container, coer and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan
juices, until medium-rare (about 135 degrees F on a meat thermometer), 25 to 30 minutes. Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and ginger slices from the cranberries. In a food processor or blender, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Strain the remaining whole cranberries and add them to the sauce with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries. Swirl in the cold butter.
Slice the venison thinly (stir any juices into the sauce) and serve with the sauce, reheated if necessary.

source: unknown

1 bay leaf
10 bacon slices
1 pound wild mushrooms, sliced thickly (or domestic mushrooms)
2 leeks chopped into 1 inch pieces (or onions)
3 carrots chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 rabbit or squirrel or chicken, cut into serving portions
3 TBS chopped parsley
3 sliced potatoes (peeled or not, your option)
1 TBS red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic (optional)

Place the bay leaf into the bottom of a dutch oven or cauldron.
(You will need a lid.) Place half the bacon over the leaf and cover
with half of the mushrooms, leeks and carrots. Place the meat pieces
atop the vegetables and then cover with the rest of the mushrooms,
leeks and carrots. Season to taste, adding half of the chopped parsley,
and one of the crushed garlic cloves. (Extra water or broth can be added
if thought necessary, just not too much.)
Place the potatoes on top of everything else. Add a bit more salt and
pepper, the rest of the garlic and parsley. Place the rest of the
bacon over this and pour the red wine vinegar over them. Place a tight
lid on the pot and cook in the oven at 325 degrees (F) for two hours (2hr)
Do not check inside too often as it will dry out the meat. Be sure to
discard the bay leaf.

SOURCE: unknown