
Venison Tartare with Haggis Scotch Egg & Elderberry Dressing
by James Mackenzie
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Starter | ![]() |
Medium | ![]() |
4 | ![]() |
Prep/Cook: 60 mins |
VENISON TARTARE
300g of loin of venison, trimmed1 shallot, finely diced
30g of baby capers
30g of cornichons, finely diced
1 tsp mayonnaise, rapeseed
1 tsp rapeseed oil
Tabasco
2 tbsp of parsley, chopped
1 pinch of juniper berries, crushed
1 handful of dandelion leaves, to serve
salt
pepper
DRESSING
red wine, half a bottleport, half a bottle
4 tsp redcurrant jelly
100ml of balsamic vinegar
juniper berries, to taste
150g of sugar
250g of elderberries
HAGGIS SCOTCH EGG
200g of haggis100g of sausage meat
1 pinch of juniper berries, crushed
6 quail eggs
flour
1 egg, beaten
oats
salt
pepper
oil, for deep-frying
METHOD
1 Begin by preparing the dressing. Place all of the ingredients (except the elderberries) in a pan and reduce until a syrupy consistency is achieved. Add the elderberries, bring back to the boil, then remove from the heat and allow to cool2 For the tartare, place the venison in the freezer until firm, then chop into small cubes. Meanwhile, mix the cornichons and shallots with the baby capers, then combine with the venison
3 Season the mix with 3 drops of Tabasco (you can add more if you like spice), the rapeseed mayonnaise and rapeseed oil. Add the parsley, mix again, then add salt, pepper and juniper to taste. Push the mix into individual rings and set aside in the fridge
4 For the Scotch eggs, combine the haggis, sausage meat and juniper in a bowl. Season well and set aside. Boil the quail eggs for exactly 2 minutes and 30 seconds, then plunge into iced water to cool. Carefully peel the eggs, then roll in some flour - this will help the meat to stick to them
5 Take 1/4 of the haggis mix, form into a ball, then flatten it in the palm of your hand. Wrap the flattened meat around an egg to seal, then repeat with the rest of the eggs and haggis mix to prepare all of the Scotch eggs for frying
6 Pass each haggis-encased egg through flour, beaten egg and finally through the oats until completely covered. Deep-fry the eggs at 190°C for 2 1/2 minutes until golden. Set aside to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving
7 Divide the venison tartare onto plates, using the moulds to shape into a neat pile. Spoon the dressing around the plate and garnish each portion of tartare with the warm Scotch egg and some dandelion (or salad) leaves