Kelaguen binadu is pronounced ke-la-gwin bee-naw-do. You may not always find deer kelaguen on Chamorro tables because it is harder to get deer meat than it is to buy chicken or shrimp. That said, when it is on the table, you better get your share!
My husband and I have been stateside since 2000. We've spent many a Thanksgiving with our godparents, Auntie Daling and Uncle Kin. I look forward to cousin Jame's deer kelaguen and Nina's teriyaki deer with every visit.
Cousin James shared with me the ingredients he put into his kelaguen. The recipe below was inspired by him as of course, he does not measure however, his kelaguen always tastes the same. Because my goal is to provide recipes with exact measurements so your dish is as good as mine, I again measured everything I put into this recipe.
OMG, this is so yummy! Best of all, it tastes like cousin Jame's kelaguen.
KELAGUEN BINADU RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
Set 1
2 lbs. or 5 c. tender deer meat, such as the hind leg, sliced thin (this is the weight with connective tissues removed)
1 tbsp. + ½ tsp. lemon powder
½ tsp. salt
1 c. cold water
Set 2
½ tbsp. + ½ tsp. lemon powder
¾ tsp. salt
1 tsp. minced, fresh ginger
½ c. thinly sliced yellow onion
¼ c. chopped green onions
Set 3
1 tbsp. hot pepper flakes
Note: If you use sea salt, you will likely have to incorporate more than the salt in this recipe. Do a taste test first.
Tools: sharp knife, cutting board, large glass or plastic bowl, plastic wrap
DIRECTIONS
1. Add all of set 1 into the large glass bowl. Mix this well then cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 18 hours.
2. Take the soaking deer meat out of fridge then add all of set 2 to the bowl. Mix well then taste.
3. Add more lemon or salt in very small increments if you want it more lemony and salty; this recipe is great, but if you get deer from other parts of the world the taste may be different.
4. Add 1 tbsp. of pepper flakes or your favorite hot pepper to taste; 1 tbsp. is too spicy for kids, about low to moderate for adults.
5. Place back in fridge for 4 hours.
6. Enjoy with hot, short-grain white rice or corn titiyas.
Effective March 2021, PaulaQ will begin replacing Canola and vegetable/seed oils in recipes with pure lard from Reverence Farm, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
