Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2. 1/2 cup chopped thyme leaves
3. 10 garlic cloves, minced
4. 1/4 cup cracked black peppercorns
5. 2 tablespoons crushed and chopped juniper berries
6. 1 whole leg of venison (15 to 17 pounds), hip bone and shank end removed and reserved, roast tied, or one 9-pound boneless Denver leg of venison (see Note), 1/2 pound reserved for the sauce and the rest tied into 4 even-size roasts
7. Kosher salt
8. Beach Plum Sauce

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the oil with the thyme, garlic, cracked peppercorns, and juniper berries.
2. Set the bone-in roast on a rack in a large roasting pan; alternatively, set the boneless roasts on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving as much room between them as possible. Rub with the seasoning mixture, coating the roasts completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Bring the meat to room temperature before proceeding.
3. Cook the bone-in roast: Preheat the oven to 350°. Rub the meat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt. Roast the venison in the center of the oven for 1 hour. Turn the roast, baste with the pan juices and roast for 1 hour longer. Turn the roast once more and cook for about 20 minutes longer for medium-rare, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 125°. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
4. Cook the boneless roasts: Preheat the oven to 500°. Rub the meat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt. Roast the meat in the upper third of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes for medium rare or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of each roast registers 125°. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
5. To serve, untie the roasts. Stand the bone-in roast on a large carving board with the shank end facing up. Carve slices from the side, slicing the meat straight down to the bone; slicing against the grain produces a more tender piece of meat. Carve the boneless roasts into 1/4 -thick slices. Serve at once with the Beach Plum Sauce.

Notes

The "Denver leg" called for is widely available at better butchers. It comes separated into perfectly lean, trimmed pieces, which are then tied into manageable roasts. The venison (and the veal stock called for in the sauce) can be ordered from D'Artagnan, 973-344-0565.