Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 4-6
A dish once reserved for medieval feasts and royal banquets, Civet is a slow-cooked game stew, traditionally thickened with blood to create a deep, rich, and intensely flavorful dish. 🏰✨ Originating in medieval France, Civet was a favorite among nobility, featuring wild hare or venison, slow-simmered in wine, onions, and fragrant herbs. This dish embodies the bold and hearty flavors of old-world European cuisine! 🍽️🔥
Ingredients For Civet
🔥 For the Stew:
☑ 2 lbs wild hare or venison (cubed) 🦌
☑ 3 tablespoons🥄 butter or lard 🧈
☑ 1 large onion, finely chopped 🧅
☑ 2 carrots, sliced 🥕
☑ 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 black pepper 🌶
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 dried thyme 🌿
☑ 2 bay leaves 🍃
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 juniper berries (optional) 🍇
☑ 2 cups red wine 🍷
☑ 1 cup beef or game stock 🍲
☑ ½ cup pig’s blood (or substitute with dark roux for thickening) 🩸
🔥 For Garnish & Serving:
☑ Rustic bread 🍞
☑ Chopped parsley 🌿
👩🍳 Cooking Steps For Civet
🔥 Step 1: Marinate the Meat
1️⃣ In a large bowl, combine cubed hare/venison, red wine, bay leaves, thyme, and juniper berries.
2️⃣ Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours.
🔥 Step 2: Sear & Build Flavor
1️⃣ Remove meat from the marinade and pat dry. Reserve the marinade.
2️⃣ In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat butter and brown the meat on all sides.
3️⃣ Add onions, carrots, and garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
🔥 Step 3: Simmer to Perfection
1️⃣ Pour in the reserved marinade and stock, then bring to a gentle simmer.
2️⃣ Cover and cook over low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
🔥 Step 4: Thicken & Finish
1️⃣ Stir in pig’s blood (or dark roux) to thicken the stew.
2️⃣ Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, then remove from heat.
🔥 Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley.
2️⃣ Serve with crusty bread to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce!
🏰 Civet: A Medieval Feast in a Bowl! 🍲🔥
With its deep, gamey flavors and rich, velvety texture, Civet is a dish that tells a story of ancient feasts and noble traditions. Whether made with wild hare, venison, or a modern adaptation, this forgotten medieval stew deserves a revival in today’s kitchens!
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Jhal Muri: Kolkata’s Iconic Spicy Puffed Rice Snack! You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
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