By David Draper

If there’s any one ingredient (besides bacon) that will almost guarantee a Food Fight victory, it’s venison backstrap. So, who do you vote for when both entries include this reader-favorite cut? I guess this week’s fight between Wild Chef readers Neil Selbicky and SMC1986 will come down to the side dishes, but then they each excel on that front as well. What to do? What to do? I can’t decide so I’m leaving it up to you.

Neil Selbicky’s Backstrap and Morels*

Too soon to get back into the Food Fight? I don’t think so! With lots of venison in the freezer and the morel mushrooms coming on strong in the woods, I’m ready to go with venison backstrap steak with morel mushrooms. I served the venison with spring asparagus and red potato. So good!

SMC1986’s Backstrap and Bluegill

This is a grilled seven-day-aged backstrap seasoned with salt and pepper, plus some bluegill fillets that I caught that afternoon. On the side are gluten-free mac-and-cheese and a salad. No garden vegetables just yet here in Maryland, so the salad is store bought.

I know the rest of you are cooking up some great dishes in the kitchen, so why not snap a quick photo and send it to fswildchef@gmail.com. We might just feature it in an upcoming Food Fight Friday.

*Look for this recipe on the Wild Chef blog this coming Monday.

Comments (8)

from CL3 wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

I like surf & turf, but I feel like the morels are a better pairing with the venison here.

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from MaxPower wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Wow. Both backstraps look incredible, but the meat/potatoes combo is what wins with me. This time of year I expected to see some fish or turkey dishes, this was a nice change.

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from SMC1986 wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

My plating looks terrible compared to Neil's. Gonna have to work on that.

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from Neil J. Selbicky wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

I suggest you add some green. Some parsley sprigs on your plate would really visually sharpen it up. Looks yummy enough as it is wild edible food wise. As for the actual "plates", I may need to go out and buy a new set of dinner ware. My everyday set is getting kind of familar. That is unless I have an extra set out in storage. I'll have to ask the wife about that.

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from oakwood phantom wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Backstrap and Bluegill is my idea of surf and turf.

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from Gtbigsky wrote 6 weeks 17 hours ago

Venison and morels compliment one another nicely. It's a real hunter gatherer meal.

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from Shawn Smith wrote 6 weeks 13 hours ago

The back strap morel combo looks and sounds very tasty. I will be trying this out for myself with the little bit of venison I have left from last season.

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from Neil J. Selbicky wrote 6 weeks 11 hours ago

*Look for this recipe on the Wild Chef blog this coming Monday. (As per David Draper)

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from MaxPower wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Wow. Both backstraps look incredible, but the meat/potatoes combo is what wins with me. This time of year I expected to see some fish or turkey dishes, this was a nice change.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Gtbigsky wrote 6 weeks 17 hours ago

Venison and morels compliment one another nicely. It's a real hunter gatherer meal.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Shawn Smith wrote 6 weeks 13 hours ago

The back strap morel combo looks and sounds very tasty. I will be trying this out for myself with the little bit of venison I have left from last season.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from CL3 wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

I like surf & turf, but I feel like the morels are a better pairing with the venison here.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from SMC1986 wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

My plating looks terrible compared to Neil's. Gonna have to work on that.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Neil J. Selbicky wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

I suggest you add some green. Some parsley sprigs on your plate would really visually sharpen it up. Looks yummy enough as it is wild edible food wise. As for the actual "plates", I may need to go out and buy a new set of dinner ware. My everyday set is getting kind of familar. That is unless I have an extra set out in storage. I'll have to ask the wife about that.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from oakwood phantom wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Backstrap and Bluegill is my idea of surf and turf.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Neil J. Selbicky wrote 6 weeks 11 hours ago

*Look for this recipe on the Wild Chef blog this coming Monday. (As per David Draper)

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.