Wahoo for Wahoo!

Okay, so Wahoo isn't venison, but 1) a friend caught one while fishing for Marlin and 2) saying Wahoo is fun, and eating it is funner!

I had actually never heard of Wahoo before, but it is quite a delicacy. Since they're solitary swimmers, they're kind of hard to catch. Our fisherman friend told us people usually catch them by accident. But then they keep them because they are GOOD! Think fresh halibut...it's the same kind of mild steak. He was very gracious to give us four huge steaks.

I found a Wahoo recipe on e-zine articles. It was delicious! This would work with halibut, cod, or any mild deep sea fish.

Wahoo for Wahoo with Cuumber Salad
4 Wahoo steaks
2 tbs olive oil
juice of 2 lemons
juice of 2 limes
1.5 tbs paprika
1.5 tsp crushed red pepper

Trim the skin and dark red area at the top of the bone (I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know what it is...but it can taste gamey). Mix the oil, juices and spices together. Pour over fish and let marinate for 1/2 hour. Grill fish at medium heat...time depends one how big and thick the steaks are. Ours took about 5 minutes per side.

Serve with cucumber salad, which compliments the hot of the paprika.

Cucumber salad
2 cucumbers
1 tomato
2 tbs red wine vinegar
2 tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

peel cucumbers and slice thinly. Cut tomato in half and slice thinly. Put both in bowl and mix with oil, vinegar and spice. Let marinade for at least 2 hours before serving.

Honey Mustard Rack of Venison

For Christmas, Rick got a guide to butchering. The result is we're getting more gourmet cuts of meat, like racks. I've always loved rack of lamb, so I've been pretty excited to try rack of venison. Last night was the perfect opportunity...our friends Rebekah and George were coming over and they're always up for trying new things.

I found the rack recipe on Cook's.com. Today I'm adding a bonus recipe (the sprouts) because they went so well with the meat and Rebekah loved them. The whole meal was very easy and delicious.

Honey Mustard Rack of Venison
2 tbsp. whole grain mustard
2 tbsp. honey
Juice of 1 lemon
3-4 lb. rack of lamb
Salt and pepper to taste
12 shallots, peeled
12 cloves elephant garlic, peeled (more if desired, wonderful when
roasted)
1 tbsp. olive oil

Whisk together mustard, honey and lemon juice until well blended. Pierce lamb all over with tip of small knife or sharp fork. Rub lamb with generous amount of salt and pepper. Spoon mustard mix over lamb. Set in pan, cover and refrigerate for several hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place lamb, meat side up, on rack in roasting pan. Surround with shallots and garlic and drizzle them with the olive oil. Roast 45 minutes to 1 hour, basting every 10 minutes. Check with meat thermometer, 135 for rare; 145 for medium.

Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Carve into chops, 2 per person. Spoon shallots and garlic over each plate. Serves 4.

Cooks.com Recipe "Rack Of Lamb With Shallots And Elephant Garlic"

Brussels Sprouts with Lime
This recipe comes from Suzanne Sommers, and like all her recipes, is amazing.

1 bag Brussels sprouts
1 tbs butter
Juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Chop the Brussels sprouts lengthwise into strips. Melt butter in pan over medium heat and add sprouts. Saute on medium low for about 9 minutes (until tender and browning), stirring every few minutes. Add lime juice and salt.