Fresh pasta tossed in butter topped with ostrich fillets and a red wine & berry sauce. Perfect for a dinner party, but quick enough for a mid week supper.
Everyone, loves a plate of pasta, and today I have a plate of pasta for you, which is both easy to make, but also suitable for dinner parties. A plate of fresh buttered pasta (made the traditional way with a bronze die), with slices of ostrich steak covered with a tart berry sauce. Delicious!
The surprising thing about this dish is that the main ingredients came from Iceland, where there are all sorts of unexpected goodies to be found, including frozen lobster, kale, venison, rabbit, part baked speciality bread and my favourite of waygu burgers. On my last trip I discovered the fresh pasta and swapped tips with a fellow shopper – she recommended the smoothie mix, and I told her about the lobster and those amazing burgers. I’m sold on Iceland and really rather enjoy my discoveries of things I do not expect to find in their freezers, chillers and shelves.
For this dish I used; diced onions (£1 a bag) – perfect for when you only need a little, simply fry from frozen (my mother made great use of these 18 months ago when she broke her thumb and could not hold a knife), frozen red berries (£1.50) also useful in pies, smoothies & my berry yogurt muffins, ostrich fillets (£3.50), and fresh pasta (£1).
You use the onions from frozen, blitz the berries in the microwave for 30 seconds before using, but you do need to remember to defrost the ostrich (speed this process up by putting the whole packet in a sink of cold water).
Once defrosted the ostrich takes about 4 minutes to cook (slightly overcooked for our taste here), the pasta takes 60 seconds, and the sauce another 3 minutes. You really can have supper in a flash.
- Good glug olive oil
- 2 tbs onions - finely chopped
- 2 ostrich fillets
- 1/2 cup red berry mix
- 1 dsp sugar
- 2 tbs red wine
- 2 tbs butter
- 200 g fresh pasta
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Add the oil to a frying pan and fry the onion until golden. Remove from the pan and set to one side.
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Fry the ostrich fillets for about 2 minutes each side until browned. Boil a kettle of water whilst they cook.
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Remove the ostrich steaks from the pan, place on a plate covered with a piece of foil to allow them to rest.
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Return the onions to the pan, with the red berries, sugar, wine and half the butter, bring to a simmer and reduce to you have a syrupy glossy sauce.
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Whilst the sauce is cooking, cook the pasta as per the packet instructions. Drain, return to the pan with the remainder of the butter.
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Slice the ostrich fillets, and pour any juices into the berry sauce.
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Season the pasta with salt and pepper, and arrange on two plates, place the ostrich on top then pour the berry sauce over. Garnish with some fresh herbs.
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If you have not been to Iceland in a while, I highly recommend a visit and rummage in the freezers, you may be surprised at what you find.
Discoveries by other bloggers recently include
- Kerry found Millie’s Cookies
- Claire found Sardines
- Kate found kale
- Choclette found a meal for £10
Recipe for Ostrich Steaks with Red Berry Sauce & Pasta commissioned by Iceland for their #PowerOfFrozen campaign. All opinions our own.
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
Your pictures look amazing and your recipe looks spot on. I have never visited Iceland. Looks like you found some amazing things!
Helen
Thanks Cindy. I am still drooling over those burgers – I have two packets in the freezer still.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
This sounds like a fabulous combination, just got my ostrich steaks out of the freezer and can’t wait to try them out!
Helen
I am really impressed with them. Super lean and tender.
Lisa @Garlicandzest.com
That’s so cool that you can get ostrich… I’ve never seen that in any of our markets. Looks very lean and delicious!
Helen
It is very lean, and very tasty.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
Oh wow.. I have to say, I’m not big on meat other than seafood, but anytime I see a meat that’s unusual I need to try it (like alligator, shark etc). Ostrich is on my list- but I’ve never ever seen it here! Not even in huge international markets. If I ever find it, now I’ll know what to do with it haha. This sounds amazing!
Helen
It is very similar to venison. Lightly gamey and very lean.
Claire @foodiequine
I haven’t tried the Ostrich Steaks but their Kargaroo Sausages are on my meal plan for this week. Iceland have really upped their game with the contents of their freezers of late.
Helen
I am so impressed by what is in store in Iceland. Need to try those sausages.
Dana
This is interesting and nothing like anything I’ve seen before! I’m pescetarian now, but I do remember my Mom obtaining ostrich meatballs when I was young and feeding them to us for dinner without mentioning the fact that it was ostrich until AFTER dinner. Haha. I don’t remember how they were, but we all ate them without any issues!
Helen
Oh, ostrich meat balls do sound so good.
Sara | Belly Rumbles
Osterich, how different and interesting, something I have never tried. I often wonder if it tastes anything like emu.
Helen
I’ve never had emu – so it is one to try.
Brian Jones
Wow, Iceland… That really is a blast from the past, the Ice Lolly section was where I would usually be found as a child :D I’ve only ever tried ostrich as a burger and never as a steak but the texture looks fantastic.
Helen
You would not recognise Iceland these days Brian. Amazing discoveries at every turn.
Tara | Deliciously Declassified
Wow! I’m not sure I’d even know where to purchase Ostrich meat here where I am (Rhode Island in US)! But this looks great and sounds like it would be a nice exotic meal to switch things up.
Helen
I think pairing something exotic with something everyday is a good way to introduce it?
Lisa @Garlicandzest.com
Ostrich?! Wow! Looks delicious and that red berry sauce sounds divine!
Helen
Ostrich?! was what I thought when I found it in Iceland.
Shinee
Wow, looks so good! Never had ostrich fillets and curious to try it. But that red berry sauce sounds so good, might even try it tonight!
Helen
I am loving the berry sauce on the meat and pasta.
Tamara
I have had ostrich fillets at restaurants a couple of times, and loved them! I am guessing the Iceland products are not available in the U.S. (I went to their website), but I will keep an eye out for similar. I would love to be able to make this recipe!
Helen
I think venison would be a good substitute.
Diana
You can find so many interesting items at Iceland! Ostrich fillets is something I would love to try
Helen
I am amazed at what I’ve found in the Iceland freezers
Liz Mays
Now this sounds like a great way to prepare a meal with those fillets. I’ve never tried ostrich meat before!
Helen
It is very tender and lean.
Sarah, Things Sarah Loves
I’ve never tried ostrich and not sure if I would be that adventurous but it does look yummy!
Helen
It is slightly gamey and very lean.
Rachel
OOh now this sounds divine and cooks so quickly, I also had my eye on those Wagyu burgers I see in that photo ;)
Helen
The wagyu burgers are AWESOME! Go and buy some.
Life as Mum
That looks so delicious. I would love to have that for dinner tonight
Helen
It was so good. We’ve had it again since I made it
Charli Bruce
I love Iceland. I normally do a massive monthly shop there and top up on fresh fruit and veg every week locally. This looks absolutely lovely although the thought of eating ostrich does scare me a bit x
Helen
I am so impressed with Iceland, some real gems to be found in the freezers.
Anosa
It’s been a while since I lasted visited Iceland, looks like I am missing out. I am loving the look of this pasta, the pictures are making me salivate.
Helen
Make that return trip to Iceland – I was so impressed.
Hannah
Your photos are incredible and it looks so delicious too x
Helen
Thanks Hannah
Sarahjane
This looks delightful! My stomach is grumbling just looking at the food! I’ve had ostrich once before and really liked it!
Helen
It was so easy and quick – fast enough for mid week – but elegant enough for a dinner party
Kira
I’ve never had ostrich before so I really don’t know how I’d find this, that said, I’d like to try it!
Helen
It is very lean, and mild, slightly gamey, but not overly so.
Melanie Edjourian
That’s interesting I didn’t realise Iceland had osterich. Might give them a try.
Helen
They have a whole range of exotic meats – well worth trying.
Sarah Bailey
I will have to share this idea with my parents they like trying different meats :) x
Helen
Send them down to Iceland
Leanne
I would never think to eat Ostrich! I have seen various different meats on Musclefood before and have been tempted to try!
Helen
Go for it. It is very mild and lean.
Laura H
Oh wow I didn’t know that ostrich meat was available like that in packets! I have tried it once at a food fair and can’t say it tasted that different from other meat to me. In the pictures it just looks like beef or pork! Love the mix of flavours in this dish though so I’d definitely give it a go :)
Helen
Most of the flavour is in the fat, so lean meats do tend to be more delicate.
lisa prince
omg that looks delightful and so fresh and quick
Helen
Super speedy – unbelievable it all comes from Iceland!
Sally Akins
Well, this was a surprise! When I saw the post title I thought ‘yummy, love ostrich’ but I really didn’t expect to find out you bought them at Iceland
Helen
I know. Iceland is so worth a visit. There are some real gems in the freezers.
WhatLauraLoves
This looks absolutely lush. I haven’t eaten Ostrich in years when I’d had ostrich burgers at my friends house! xxx
Helen
Thanks Laura, we did rather enjoy it!
Camilla
I have never tried Ostrich before but am seriously tempted after seeing this lush recipe:-)
Helen
We were really impressed.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
How interesting to use the berries on pasta, I would never have thought of that! Bet that’s an amazing combination – maybe with some creamy goat’s cheese? :)
Helen
that sounds delicious Becca.
Grace @ Eats Amazing
This looks amazing, I am loving all the fantastic food finds at Iceland! (Beautiful photos too)
Helen
I am astonished at the items I have been finding in Iceland. I love my visits and discovering new things.
Jessica
Ostrich in a pasta! Wow. Looks tender and yummy. Great recipe indeed.
Helen
It worked wonderfully!
Rachael Phillips
this looks soooo good! i’m actually going to take your advice and get some frozen onions, i hate chopping them and actually £1 is a bargain!!
Helen
I love the chopped frozen onions, no chopping, and the exact amount you want every time!
Choclette
Love the colour contrast between the red berry sauce and yellow pasta. I shall look out for frozen berries next time I’m in Iceland.
Helen
The frozen berries are such good value – only £1.50 a bag. Perfect for smoothies, pies and this sauce.
Kate | The Veg Space
Can’t believe you found all of this in Iceland! That fresh pasta looks fabulous – must look out for it.
Helen
It is amazing! I am never buying whole onions again.
kate @veggie desserts
The sauce sounds amazing! I’ve not had ostrich but I imagine even just that sauce on pasta would be a dream. Iceland is such a treasure trove!
Helen
I am so making another version of the sauce.
Kerry @ Kerry Cooks
Such an imaginative recipe, and I love that you can do it all using frozen food! No one would ever guess
Helen
Thanks Kerry, I am loving my Iceland discoveries.
Lucy Parissi
I think I have had ostrich burgers before but a very long time ago. I need to look out for these at Iceland – the steaks look really delicious! Love the ease and speed of the dish too.
Helen
They were really really good. One to keep in the freezer.
Andrea @ The Petite Cook
I had ostrich before and I really enjoyed the flavour, and this one paired with that berry sauce sounds super interesting. I’ll definitely give it a try!
Helen
I was so impressed with the quality of the ostrich!
Mel
This looks absolutely delicious, Helen! I have never had ostrich before but the flavour combinations you’ve gone for are definitely up my street!
Helen
Thanks Mel, I am a convert to the Iceland exotic meats.