Venison, chocolate, pumpkin and coffee

Jamie Scott at The Newport

JAMIE SCOTT won Masterchef the Professionals back in 2014, however his career began at the age of 14 as the most junior person in the kitchen of his parents’ pub, and eventually worked his way up to running it. He always wanted to open his first one in Dundee or Fife, where he grew up. The Newport focuses on serving clean, flavoursome Scottish food using the best of local ingredients inspired by the surroundings and Jamie’s knowledge of the area.

INGREDIENTS

5oz venison loin

1 tsp extra ground coffee

25g 80% chocolate, higher the better

2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, lightly roasted

2 tbsp sunflower seeds

1 tbsp poppy seeds

1 butternut squash, peeled (save all trimmings from squash)

50g butter

50ml rapeseed oil

Salt & pepper

50g fresh sage

75ml jerez vinegar

100ml pumpkin oil

1 tsp honey

METHOD

1 For the squash, split and deseed the bulbous bottom end and wrap in tin foil with some oil and salt & pepper and bake at 180°C for 20 mins until tender. Cut the top end into 3cm wedges and blanch in boiling salted water for 4-6 mins until cooked through.

2 Mix together the jerez vinegar, pumpkin oil and honey and put it to one side.

3 Roughly chop all the remaining trimmings into the same size and place into a heavy based saucepan with a knob of butter, cook on a medium heat for 12-15 mins until tender. Transfer into a blender and blend until a smooth puree is formed (may take a touch of warm water to loosen the mixture). Keep all elements warm.

4 Season the venison loin and roll in ground coffee, tap off any excess. Place into a hot frying pan with 15ml of oil and seal all the way around until golden. Add 25g of butter and baste on a low heat for 2-5 mins. Remove from pan and rest for 5 mins.

5 To serve, cut the roasted squash into nice wedges and season. Roll 2 of the blanched wedges in the seed mixture. Place a spoonful of the puree on a warm plate followed by the cooked squashes. Cut the venison in half, add to plate and dress with jerez dressing.

In association with taste Communications

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