Croot's Country Store

Food Friday

Looking for something a little different for dinner this weekend?

This Venison Mince Chilli is packed with flavour and is a great way to enjoy local Cowal Deer venison. The lean venison mince works perfectly with warming spices, tomatoes, and kidney beans to create a hearty meal that's easy to prepare and ideal for batch cooking.

Our venison comes from wild deer harvested in the hills and forests of Cowal before being processed locally in Sandbank. It's a natural, sustainable food source with virtually no food miles and exceptional flavour.

Ingredients:
500g Cowal Deer venison mince
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp tomato purée
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1 x 400g tin kidney beans, drained
200ml beef stock
Salt and black pepper to taste

Method:
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat.
Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic, chilli powder, paprika, and cumin and cook for 1 minute.
Add the venison mince and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes and beef stock, then bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the kidney beans and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with rice, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, or crusty bread.

Would you try venison in a chilli instead of beef?

Croots Country Store
Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, PA23 8FE
01369 760284
www.crootscountrystore.com

Cowal Deer venison available in-store and online.

FOOD FRIDAY

A quick and easy favourite using Cowal Deer venison mince.

VENISON BURGER STACK

Ingredients:
• 500g Cowal Deer venison mince
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 4 burger buns
• Cheese slices
• Lettuce and tomato
• Burger sauce

Method:

1. Mix the venison mince with onion, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Shape into 4 burger patties.
3. Heat a frying pan or grill and cook the burgers for around 4–5 minutes per side.
4. Add cheese for the final minute.
5. Toast the buns and build your burger stack with salad and sauce.

A proper homemade burger using lean local venison.

Croots Country Store
Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, PA23 8FE
01369 760284
https://www.crootscountrystore.com

SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY

This week’s spotlight is on the FURminator Dog Grooming Tool — a professional-quality grooming tool trusted by groomers and dog owners alike, available now at Croots Country Store.

If you’re constantly finding dog hair on the sofa, car seats, carpets and clothes, the FURminator is designed to tackle loose undercoat hair before it ends up around the house.

Unlike ordinary brushes, the FURminator reaches through the topcoat to safely remove loose undercoat hair without damaging the coat or irritating the skin when used correctly. It’s especially useful for heavy shedders and double-coated breeds.

Why dog owners rate the FURminator so highly:

• Professional-quality grooming tool used by many groomers
• Helps reduce shedding around the home
• Removes loose undercoat hair effectively
• Helps prevent knots and matting
• Designed to glide through the coat comfortably
• Can help improve coat condition with regular use
• Suitable for many long and short-haired breeds
• Reduces loose fur before it ends up on furniture and clothing
• Easy hair-release button for quick cleaning during grooming

Regular grooming with the right tools can make dogs more comfortable, particularly during seasonal shedding periods, while also helping owners stay on top of coat care.

A brilliant addition for any dog owner wanting to keep coats healthy and homes a little less hairy.

Available now at Croots Country Store.

Croots Country Store
Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, PA23 8FE
01369 760284
https://www.crootscountrystore.com

Keep your dog looking and feeling their best with the Ancol Ergo Grooming Range, available now at Croots Country Store.

Regular grooming is about far more than appearance. It helps keep coats healthy, reduces loose hair around the home, improves comfort and gives you a chance to check for knots, ticks or skin problems early.

The Ancol Ergo range is designed to make grooming easier and more comfortable for both dogs and owners, with ergonomic handles that provide a secure grip and better control during grooming sessions.

The range includes tools for every coat type and grooming need, including:

• Slicker brushes for removing loose fur and tangles
• Pin brushes for everyday coat care
• Combs for detangling and finishing
• Shedding tools to help reduce moulting
• Nail clippers designed for safe trimming
• Soft brushes for gentle grooming sessions

Benefits of regular grooming:

• Helps maintain a healthy shiny coat
• Reduces matting and tangles
• Removes dirt and loose hair
• Encourages healthy skin and circulation
• Makes dogs more comfortable, especially during shedding season
• Creates a calming bonding routine between owner and dog

Whether you’ve got a muddy spaniel, a fluffy retriever or a short-haired companion, the Ancol Ergo range has the right tools to help keep them in top condition.

Available in store now at Croots Country Store.

Croots Country Store
Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank, PA23 8FE
01369 760284
https://www.crootscountrystore.com