Hearty Venison Stew
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of venison (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 3 celery stalks (sliced)
- 1 cup of red wine
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of frozen peas
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Venison:
- Trim off any excess fat or silver skin from the venison meat.
- Rinse the venison under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the venison generously with salt and pepper.
2. Browning the Venison:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned venison cubes to the pot and brown them on all sides, working in batches if necessary.
- Remove the browned venison from the pot and set aside.
3. Sauteing the Vegetables:
- In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery to the pot.
- Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
4. Creating the Stew Base:
- Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Add the tomato paste, beef broth, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the pot.
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Cooking the Stew:
- Return the browned venison cubes to the pot, along with any accumulated juices.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the stew simmer over low heat for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the venison becomes tender and easily pulls apart.
6. Adding the Finishing Touches:
- In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas to the stew.
- Stir them gently and let them heat through.
7. Serving:
- Remove the bay leaves from the stew.
- Ladle the hearty venison stew into bowls.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added freshness and color.
- Serve the stew hot and enjoy it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this hearty venison stew, perfect for chilly evenings or outdoor gatherings.
