It ain’t pretty, but it’s gooood.
Just remember as we go on this journey together that we believe in certain principles around here. That animal protein or vegetable protein, if you’re going to eat, something has to die. And if I’m going to kill something in order to eat, then I want to use every part of it. So as you shimmy your way down the page keep reciting the mantra: nothing went to waste, nothing went to waste, used every part, used every part, and you’ll get through it just fine.
Okay, ready? Hold my hand…ooh, you have soft hands, what do you use?
Oh wait, okay…here we go.
This is the liver of a deer I shot soaking in a bath of salt water.
This is me slicing the liver of a deer on a bias.
Slice number 1.
From an abstract point of view, these slices are rather pretty, don’t you think?
Fully sliced.
Pardon the strange lighting. There was a video camera and the room was lit with massive lights that made me “glow.”
I’ll be honest, I was sweating. It was like standing on the sun. But these are the sacrifices a girl has to make for liver.
And since there was so much commotion, I didn’t take step-by-step pictures for you on this one, but I’ll use my words.
I got a skillet very hot with oil. While it heated I sliced some onions thinly, and then some mushrooms. I gave the liver a quick sear on both sides, then removed the liver to a plate and sauteed the mushrooms and onions in the same skillet.
Then I returned the liver to the pan with the mushrooms and onions and added some vermouth.
I would like to take a moment to reflect on vermouth. It is so spectacular in sauces, the smell and taste will send you into a revelry. Go buy a bottle of vermouth and put it in everything and see how much better your life is. One bottle of vermouth is all it takes to improve your life. Trust me.
Okay, next came the whiskey. I poured a healthy amount of whiskey in the skillet and lit the whole pan on fire with a match. It was a great show and my eyebrows are recovering nicely. Like I said, this is what a girl has to do for liver.
At the end you add cream and get this creamy, earthy, vermouthy dish that is quite simply, delicious.
I made the heart, which I showed you the other day, and then the tenderloin which I’ll save for a rainy day.
We all ate these things around a big table. My friend Paul Michael summoned me over to examine his plate. He had wiped all visages of juice from it.
Tell me, do you like liver? Does it send you running for the hills? What’s the most far-out piece of meat you’ve ever eaten?
p.s. If you want to catch up on the whole shebang of the “Delta Deer Hunt” it’s all right here: I, II, III, IV, and V.
Ingredients Instructions
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I am in awe. You rule. It looks delicious!
I love offal! Every last bit of it.
I gotta admit i rarely eat the innards. But you make it tempting…
I'm so glad I found your site, this is excellent! Great pictures, nice deer camp. Congratulations on your deer. Looking forward to reading over the next few weeks.
Thanks Ray! I'm glad we've found each other and thanks for reading!
I like chicken liver but I've never had deer liver. Could be my next thing… great post!
I am actually feeling a little bad — just a little, mind you — that I didn't try to eat more liver as a kid whenever my mother offered it to me. But boy, the smell as it cooked was enough to kill any juvenile culinary adventure. That said, I'm willing to believe fresh deer liver and heart (and other organ meat for all I know) is far tastier than anything my mother got from the meat counter at the local grocery store. Maybe it all depends on it being in the right hands.
Greg, it's never too late to give liver another chance ; ) Make your mama proud!
Not a huge fan of liver in the traditional sense. Love the flavor, not the texture. I typically soak my deer livers in milk, then grind them into either ravioli filling or I make a venison version of the Italian mazzafegati, which is a delicious liver sausage flavored with orange rind. Good on ya for going nose-to-tail! Hank
Hank, leave it to you to have me googling words. Mazzafegati is a mouthful…liver sausage from Umbria, which I would love to try. Send some over!
The belly?? okay…could you explain that a little? What cut…recipe?? I'll let you know about the open fire cooking. BTW, we are headed to the Culinary Institute (NY) for a special dinner on Sat., a friends son is graduating and the grads are doing the entire evening….the menu is very interesting.
Hi Ray – well the belly of the pig is usually seen in the form of bacon. But fresh belly is sublime on a BBQ… that crispy skin and glistening fat is hard to equal. There are several other ways to cure it, one is called "tessa," another "pancetta"… I'll tell you what: in a few more weeks ESPNOutdoors.com is launching a page called "The Kitchen" in which they are going to feature my wild game cooking. And I'm planning on posting a whole bunch of curing recipes. I'll be sure to put belly at the top of the list! Sound good? Have a great time at CIA, it's a beautiful place. Cheers – G p.s. It just occured to me that you may have meant the belly of the deer… there's not a whole lot you can do with it as far as I know, except perhaps grind the meat to make burgers or use the scraps for stew and stock… I'll come up with some recipes there too.
Yes, I meant the belly of the deer, that is why I was surprised at your comment. You did bring back some very pleasant memories of a couple of pig roasts though..sublime pretty much covers it….thank you for that:) I will be sure to check out your page on ESPNoutdoors. Dinner at the CIA was amazing and the soon to be grads did an excellent job, a great time was had by all!
How do you think this would work with Lamb Liver?
James, I think it would work just as well, though I can't say I've made it. It would probably have a stronger flavor. Just make sure not to overcook it. And let us know how it turns out!
You are making a valuable contribution to real life food issues and for conservation by showing how real food originates and the sometimes tough facets of the harvest. You depict the whole process honestly and with the beauty and style we all aspire to. Next time you are in N. Florida (yeah sure) you are invited to my modernized 1896 farm to see one adaptation of your vision.
Wow, thanks so much Bill! That's a lovely invitation and so nice of you to say. When I set up my hunting trips for this year I may take you up on that! Cheers.
I just came across your website (through Shauna @ Gluten-Free Girl) and I have to say, I love it. The recipes all look fantastic, and I stand in great admiration of what you're doing. Kudos!
Thanks Sarah, so nice to "meet" you : )
Great recipe, thanks! Question for you. I attempted to use deer liver for dirty rice. I boiled it whole, which I think may have been why it didn’t turn out right. It was not only very mealy, but the blood inside the liver turned into a muddy, coagulated (unappetizing) mess. Do you think slicing it, rinsing it, etc. and then boiling would have helped? Any suggestions?
I think boiling liver in general is not a good idea… it’s such a delicate flavor and it will immediately overcook it and make it taste gamey. Instead, I would soak it in salt water or milk for a few hours, then slice it on a bias, then quick sear it in butter or oil, then from there you can mince it with a knife or in a blender. Mmmm, liver. I’m going to go find some now.
Thanks! We usually use beef liver and boil it. That’s how my wife’s side of the family always does it, but perhaps beef liver is sturdier than deer (the flavor of the beef liver certainly comes through after boiling, sometimes too much). I’ll try the seared method next time we kill a deer. Keep up the good work and keep the recipes coming!
I think boiling will definitely make the flavor stronger for sure, but it’s a safer bet with beef simply because cows are usually corn fed and not free roaming, which means they have a milder flavor. Less exercise = less flavor