Venison, bell pepper and paprika are a good combination that make for a very flavorful stew. If you can’t find venison, lamb is a good substitute. I served it with roasted parsnips and mashed potatoes. The recipe is very similar to the venison and bell pepper ragù I posted a few days ago. In fact, only the end of the preparation is different.

Ingredients

For 6 servings

900 grams (2 lbs) venison stewing meat, in cubes

about 250 ml (1 cup) warm water or venison stock

3 red bell peppers

1 Tbsp hot paprika (or 2 tsp sweet paprika and 1 tsp chilli powder)

80 ml (1/3 cup) red wine

1 Tbsp flour, preferably semola di grano duro

1 Tbsp double-concentrated tomato paste (or 2 Tbsp single concentrated)

1 stick celery

1 onion

1 carrot

1 bay leaf

6 juniper berries

1 clove garlic

some thyme sprigs

olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley (for garnish)

roasted parsnips

mashed potatoes

Preparation

Prepare the stew using the recipe for Venison and Bell Pepper Ragù down to where it says “Up to this point the recipes for the ragù and the stew are the same.” Prepare the roasted parsnips and the mashed potatoes as well.

Clean the bell peppers and cut into pieces similar to the size of the venison. Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over high heat and add the bell pepper.

Season with a bit of salt and sauté until the peppers are cooked but still firm to the bite.

Combine the venison stew and the bell peppers.

Use a ring mold to arrange the mashed potatoes nicely on each plate. The plates should be hot.

Arrange the stew around the mashed potatoes.

Top with roasted parsnips and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Wine pairing

This stew has a lot of flavor and can easily handle a powerful red Italian wine like a Sagrantino di Montefalco. It is made from Sagrantino grapes, is usually aged in oak barrels, and comes from Umbria. Other powerful Italian reds (Italians are preferred because of their good acidity and ripeness) like Amarone or from Campania or Puglia are also a good combination.