Game Meat Guide

This guide to Game Meat was compiled with the assistance of Ken Lang and his team at Yarra Valley Game Meats. Ken supplies game meats to restaurants throughout Victoria and he’s a walking expert on the benefits and pleasures of a lifestyle that includes venison, emu, ostrich, buffalo, kangaroo, wild boar and game birds on the menu.

Kangaroo Meat	With less than 2% fat, Kangaroo is the healthy red meat alternative. Free of contaminants; it is a lean flesh, low in cholesterol high in protein and iron and has a great taste.
Wallaby Meat	Ken’s Wallaby meat comes from pristine Flinders Island, where the Wallaby naturally graze on highly nutritious grasses, ensuring a consistent mild flavour. Wallaby meat has a rich burgundy colour, is very tender, with subtle flavour lending itself to diverse styles of preparation. It is very low in cholesterol and very low in fat, perfect for the health conscious. Wallaby has a mild game flavour and can be used as an alternative to veal or chicken. The tenderness and flavour of wallaby meat is best enhanced when lightly cooked.
Emu	According to ken, Emu is the meat of the 21st century. Emu meat is low in fat (2%), low in calories (150 per 100g serve), high in protein (25%) and high in iron. It has a distinctive slightly game flavour.
Traditional Birds	Not every bird on your table needs to be chicken, turkey or Chinese duck. Try Pheasants, Partridges, Guinea Fowls, Spatchcock, Ostrich, Quail, Squab and a variety of ducks. Many of these varieties have been largely forgotten as great table meats. They are plentiful and available so enjoy.
Rabbit & Hare	Australia has an abundance of large Australian farmed rabbits (>1.5kg) wild hare and wild rabbit leg meat. Traditional recipes dating back 100 years for rabbit meals are as good today as when Banjo Patterson enjoyed them.
Wild Boar & Goat	Free range and harvested in a similar fashion to kangaroo, wild boar is more flavoursome than farmed pork and cuts range from tender loin and saddle and leg to suckling pig (for use on the spit). There is no shortage of international recipes for goat that are simply delicious. A web search will provide a great range of options for preparing, - strip loin/tender loin, saddle, legs and kid goat (whole carcass).
Buffalo	Low in fat, high in protein and minerals, buffalo provides a healthy and nutritional red meat. Furthermore, because of its low fat content, buffalo mince is ideal for Italian Bolognese based dishes.
Crocodile	Crocodile meat is a succulent white meat, akin to fish in both appearance and texture, but the taste of chicken and therefore best cooked in the same manner as chicken or lean pork. Crocodile meat responds very well to marinating in lime or your favourite spicy mixture.
Camel	Australian chemical free camel meat is low in cholesterol and high in protein and has a similar taste and texture to beef. The National Heart Foundation recognises camel meat as a healthy choice. This is a simple guide to some of the game meat choices available in Australia. Hunters have always been very aware of the great taste and benefits of game meat. Chefs in restaurants across Australia are embracing game meat as a very popular addition to their menus. For more great game food ideas and information about where to get the very best meats available log on to Yarra Valley Game Meats and let Ken Lang show you what’s out there for your enjoyment. Ask him about his specialty small goods such as smoked meats, hamburgers, sausages and prosciutto.