Civet de Sanglier Andorran
A rich and hearty wild boar stew, slow-cooked with red wine, aromatic vegetables, and spices, embodying the rustic flavors of the Pyrenean mountains.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Wild boar shoulder(cut into 5cm cubes)
- 750 ml Dry red wine(such as a Pyrenean or Languedoc red)
- 150 g Pancetta(diced)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(chopped)
- 2 Celery stalks(chopped)
- 4 Garlic cloves(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 500 ml Beef or game stock
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 Thyme sprigs
- 6 Juniper berries(crushed)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Marinate the wild boar: In a large bowl, combine the wild boar cubes with the red wine, chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and juniper berries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or preferably 24 hours.
- 2
Drain the boar, reserving the marinade. Pat the boar cubes dry with paper towels. Strain the marinade, reserving the vegetables and liquid separately.
💡 Tip: Drying the meat ensures a better sear. - 3
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the wild boar cubes in batches until well-seared on all sides. Remove the boar and set aside.
- 4
Add the diced pancetta to the pot and cook until crispy. Remove the pancetta and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- 5
Add the reserved marinated vegetables to the pot and sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- 6
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until slightly darkened. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for another minute.
- 7
Return the seared wild boar to the pot. Pour in the reserved marinade liquid and the beef/game stock. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
💡 Tip: Ensure all browned bits are incorporated for maximum flavor. - 8
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for at least 3 hours, or until the wild boar is very tender. Stir occasionally.
💡 Tip: The longer it simmers, the more tender and flavorful the stew will be. - 9
Season the civet with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the reserved crispy pancetta just before serving.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning carefully at the end. - 10
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Traditionally served with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread.
💡 Tip: A dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream can be a nice addition.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Marinating is crucial for tenderizing and flavoring wild boar.
- ✓Don't rush the simmering process; slow and low heat is key.
- ✓Adjust the amount of juniper berries to your preference; they have a strong flavor.
- ✓If the stew is too thin, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry or by simmering uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few prunes or dried apricots during the last hour of cooking for a touch of sweetness.
- For a deeper flavor, add a tablespoon of dark chocolate towards the end of cooking.
- Substitute venison or beef for wild boar if unavailable.