Brasato di Cervo con Polenta

A slow-cooked, rich game meat stew.
Ingredients
- 800g venison (deer) meat, cubed
- 750ml red wine (preferably a full-bodied Aostan wine)
- Carrot, celery, onion, cloves, cinnamon, and juniper berries
- 500g cornmeal (polenta flour), 2L water, salt
Utensils
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
- Whisk and wooden spoon (for polenta)
- Large pot (for polenta)
Preparation
- Marinate: Marinate the meat in wine with chopped vegetables and spices for at least 12 hours.
- Brown: Drain the meat (save the liquid) and sear it in a pot with oil. Add the vegetables from the marinade.
- Slow Cook: Pour the wine marinade back in. Cover and simmer on very low heat for 3 hours until the meat is tender.
- Polenta: Boil salted water. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Stir constantly for about 45-60 minutes until thick.
- Serve: Place a large scoop of polenta on a plate and top it with the venison and its rich sauce.