Venison Casserole with Beer

Serves: 4

Difficulty: Hard

Preparation time: 15 mins

Cooking Time: 180 mins

• 900g boned venison shoulder
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• 150g piece smoked streaky bacon or pancetta diced
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml beef or venison stock
• 300ml brown ale
• 2tsp soft light brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• Roasted baby carrots to serve

Preheat the oven to 130C/Gas Mark 2.

Cut the venison into 3cm/1½" cubes, discarding any gristle and sinew. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a flameproof casserole dish. Fry the venison in batches for 5-6 mins until browned on all sides, adding a little extra oil as necessary. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Add onions to the casserole and fry for 2-3 mins, stirring occasionally until lightly browned, add the bacon and fry for a further 2 mins. Return all the meat and any accumulated juices to the pan. Add the garlic then stir in the flour. Gradually stir in the stock and ale scraping up any juices stuck to the bottom of the pan. Heat, stirring until simmering.

Add in the sugar, bay leaves and thyme and season with freshly ground black pepper. Cover the casserole with a tight fitting lid or foil and cook in the oven for at least 2 hours or until the meat is tender.