RECIPE: Spicy Venison Meatballs

What's spaghetti without meatballs? Make your own from self-harvested venison this coming hunting season. This recipe can be made ahead and frozen for convenience!

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs Ground Venison *

3 Tbsp. Minced Onion

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

3 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 1/2 tsp. Oregano

1 1/2 tsp.  Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 c. Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 c. Italian Bread Crumbs

1 tsp. Seasoned Salt

1 Tbsp. Frank's Red Hot

3 Tbsp. Worcestershire 

2/3 c. Milk

*Can be substituted for ground turkey or beef.

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix dry ingredients into meat, then add wet ingredients, mix thoroughly. Form meat into tablespoon sized balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until inside is no longer pink. Makes appx. 36 meatballs.

Can be made ahead of time and frozen.

HERBAL MEDICINE: Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)

Now days, we associate Oregano with pizza and spaghetti, but it was once considered a symbol of happiness, good luck and good health! We now know it also has excellent infection fighting healing properties, and contains vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system.

Oregano is a member of the mint family originating from the Mediterranean region. The name Oregano comes from the Greek words "oros" and "ganos" meaning "mountain joy". It appears quite often in folk lore and in historical medical texts. Considered a symbol of happiness, as well as a bringer of good luck and good health, brides and grooms were even crowned with it at ancient wedding ceremonies. After WWII, Oregano grew in popularity as a culinary herb in the United States as soldiers returned from Italy with a taste for pizza.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES & USES:

Antiseptic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, antihistimine and fungicide. It's most potent active ingredients are Thymol and Carvacrol.  Other active ingredients include: Terpenes, Rosmarinic Acid, Naringin, Limonene, Pinene, Ocimene, Caryophyllene, and E-BCP. Oregano also contains Vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, manganese, naicin, fiber, and Omega 3s. Together, these substances make for a powerful immune system booster.

Oregano has many uses.  As an oil, it can be used to treat burns, cuts, athletes foot, and fungal infections. Taken internally, it can aid in fighting off infection (most notably respiratory ailments), soothes a sore throat, and aids in digestion.  It can also be vaporized and inhaled to treat congestion. Oregano has also been used to successfully treat the waterborne infection Giardia, which is caused by parasites.. 

Oregano Tea: Pour 1 c. boiling water over 1 tsp. crushed dried leaves. Steep for 10 minutes. Do not strain before drinking.

Oregano Healing Oil: Mix 10 drops Oregano Oil* into 2 Tbsp. Coconut or Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Apply to affected area liberally 3x per day. 

Oregano Steam Treatment: Add 1 Tbsp. of Oregano leaves to a bowl of steaming hot water. Place a towel loosely over your head and inhale steam.

Oregano Antiseptic Cleaning Spray: Combine 2 drops Oregano Oil*, 5 drops Lemon Oil, 1/8 c. White Vinegar, 1 gallon water. Pour mixture into spray bottle.

*Purchase Oregano Oil from a reputable supplier. Be sure your oil was obtained from "Origanum Vulgare" or the spanish "Thymus Capitatus". Or, make your own- See below!

HOW TO GROW:

Oregano is a hardy perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-10. It can be grown from seed sown outdoors after danger of frost has passed, or from stem cuttings. Seed should be sown on the soil surface in full sun. Seed germination, depending on soil temperature, is roughly 14-21 days. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. Soil should be well drained and nutrient rich. Oregano can be grown in a container with proper drainage and brought indoors to overwinter in cooler climates. It can be overwintered outdoors by mulching with straw or fallen leaves. Divide older plants when they become too woody or begin to die in the center.

Purchase Seeds: http://www.rareseeds.com/oregano-vulgare

HARVEST AND PRESERVATION:

Use pruning shears to cut back stems to the ground and remove leaves for fresh use. Never cut back more than 2/3rds of the plant. You can dry the leaves by either hanging the stems with leaves in tact in loose bunches in a dry, ventilated area away from direct sunlight, or by removing the leaves from the stems and placing them in a dehydrator set to 95 degrees for about 8-10 hours. Oregano can be frozen by packing ice cube trays with chopped leaves and pouring water or oil over them, but I only recommend this method if you intend on using it for soups, sauces or stews.

DIY Oregano Oil: To make your own Oregano Oil, pour olive or coconut oil over a jar full of fresh oregano leaves. Place the jar in a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes. Place the jar in a sunny window for 2 weeks.  Shake the jar once daily. After 2 weeks, strain the oil and store in a dark colored bottle in a dark, dry place.

**SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Pregnant women should avoid Oregano Oil. Dilute Oregano Oil before using on skin.

*** All information intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions***

RECIPE: Spicy Venison Chili

As harvest season begins to draw to a close the days grow shorter and cooler, bringing in both deer hunting season and tailgating season. Here's a great way to utilize those home canned tomatoes and harvested meat and please guests at the same time. This chili can be made ahead in large batches and frozen.

Chili has been frozen and thawed after 6 months. 

INGREDIENTS:

3 lbs. Ground Venison

1 Large Yellow Onion, chopped

3 Cloves Garlic, minced**

2 Cans Chili Beans

2 Cans Chili Beans in Spicy Sauce*

2 Qt. Home Canned Tomatoes with Juice, diced

1 6 oz. Can Tomato Paste

3 Stalks Celery, chopped

2 Green Peppers, seeded and diced

1/2 Bottle of Beer (We use Miller Genuine Draft)

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tbsp. Tabasco Sauce**

4 tsp. Beef Bouillon Granules

1/4 c. Chili Powder

1 Tbsp. Cayenne**

1 Tbsp. Cumin

1 Tbsp. Oregano

1 tsp. Basil

1 tsp. Sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

* Use plain chili beans for mild chili

**Adjust amounts by half for mild chili

+You may substitute venison for any ground meat- beef, turkey, chicken etc.

PREPARATION:

In a large pot, brown venison together with onion and garlic. Drain any excess grease. Add all other ingredients to the pot, mix well and cover. Simmer chili for about 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. May be served topped with shredded cheese, if desired. 

To freeze, simply fill freezer safe containers with cooled chili, leaving about 1/2" head space. Stores well for about 6 months.

RECIPE: Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce

Continuing with our tomato theme this week, we'd need to make something from all that tomato puree we've made with our food mill, right? Naturally, homegrown tomatoes make for some excellent pasta sauce!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Yellow Onion, chopped
6 Cloves Garlic, minced
3 lbs. Mushrooms, sliced
1 Green Pepper, diced
18 c. Tomato Puree
3 Tbsp. Beef Bouillon
3 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 Tbsp. Oregano
1 Tbsp. Basil
1 tsp. Cayenne
1 Bay Leaf
1 tsp. Sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Combine ingredients in a large stock pot, simmer uncovered for 90 minutes, or until thickened to desired consistency. Fill sterile pint jars with hot sauce. Process in a pressure cooker for 20 mins at 11 lbs. pressure.

Makes about 6 pints of home canned sauce.

HERBAL MEDICINE: Carrie's Cold & Flu Upper Respiratory Concoction

I swear by this "concoction" if used at the first sign of illness. The ingredients contain natural antibiotic, antiseptic, and decongestant  properties. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. Broth 

2 Cloves Fresh Garlic, whole (no substitutions)

1 Sprig Fresh Oregano (or 1/4 tsp dried)

1/8 tsp. Cayenne Powder

Pour boiling broth over other ingredients, cover and steep for about 10 minutes. Sip broth, be sure to EAT THE GARLIC cloves. Oregano leaves are edible as well.

RX: 3 times daily at the first onset of symptoms up to three days. See a doctor if illness persists more than three days or immediately in case of high grade fever.

*Any flavor broth can be used, homemade or with powdered. I prefer Knorr Tomato with Chicken.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

GARLIC: Antibiotic, antiseptic (internal and external), antimicrobial, antioxidant. When garlic is chewed or crushed, the compound Alliin combines the enzyme Allinase, and a powerful antibiotic chemical Allicin is formed. Allicin boosts production of white blood cells, strengthening the immune system. Garlic is also kills the bacteria which causes stomach ulcers, treats intestinal worms, and can aid in healing mild skin infections when juice is applied topically.

OREGANO: Antiseptic (internal and external), antibacterial, fungicide, disinfectant, antioxidant. Oregano contains Carvacol and Thymol, which have antibacterial, antiseptic and fungicidal properties. It soothes sore throat, can aid in cough suppression, and when served in a steamy broth, can open sinus passages. Oregano contains a plethora of vital nutrients, too, such as Vitamins B3 and B6, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, and Protein!

CAYENNE: External and internal pain reliever, antibacterial, decongestant. Capsaicin in the active ingredient in Cayenne. When used to treat upper respiratory symptoms, it helps alleviate headache, open sinus passages, and soothes sore throat. Topical ointments made from Cayenne are used for natural treatment of joint and muscle pain, too. Cayenne can also prevent and heal ulcers by killing off the bacteria that causes them.

***All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.***