Easy Venison Pie

Venison pie is a classic dish that is perfect for a hearty meal. It is made with ground venison, vegetables, and a savory sauce, all wrapped in a flaky crust. While venison pie may seem like a daunting dish to make, it is actually quite easy to prepare. With a little bit of time and effort, you can create a delicious and satisfying venison pie that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

* 1 pound ground venison
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 cup red wine (optional)
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1 bay leaf
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 (9-inch) pie crust, homemade or store-bought

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add venison, onion, carrots, and celery and cook until browned.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
4. Gradually whisk in beef broth and red wine (if using). Add thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes.
5. Pour venison mixture into pie crust. Top with remaining pie crust and crimp edges to seal.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
7. Let pie cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, use ground venison that has been aged for at least 10 days.
* If you don't have red wine, you can substitute with additional beef broth.
* You can add other vegetables to your venison pie, such as peas, corn, or mushrooms.
* Serve venison pie with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a side salad.

Venison pie is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a little bit of preparation, you can create a venison pie that will impress your family and friends.