Braised Bear Shank: A Slow-Cooked Wilderness Feast

 Elevate Your Culinary Adventure

Braised bear shank is a hearty and flavorful dish that pays homage to the wilderness. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, this recipe transforms a tough cut of bear meat into a delectable meal that's sure to impress your fellow outdoors enthusiasts. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure with this Braised Bear Shank recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 bear shanks (approximately 2-3 pounds each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups red wine (choose a full-bodied variety)
• 2 cups beef or game broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup water
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing the Bear Shank:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Season the bear shanks generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In a large, ovenproof Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add the bear shanks and sear them until they are deeply browned on all sides. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Remove the shanks from the pot and set them aside.

Sautéing the Aromatics:

1. In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Deglazing and Braising:

1. Return the seared bear shanks to the pot.
2. Pour in the red wine and beef or game broth. Add the bay leaves, fresh thyme, and tomato paste.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
4. Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and braise the bear shanks for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and easily falls off the bone.

Thickening the Sauce:

1. In a small bowl, mix the flour and water to create a smooth paste.
2. Remove the bear shanks from the pot and keep them warm.
3. Strain the braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan, discarding the solids.
4. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat.
5. Whisk in the flour-water paste and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

Serving Your Braised Bear Shank:

1. Place a bear shank on each plate.
2. Drizzle the thickened sauce over the shank.
3. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

This Braised Bear Shank recipe transforms tough bear meat into a succulent, flavorful dish that's worthy of any wilderness feast. The slow-cooking process ensures that the bear shanks become tender and infused with the rich flavors of the braising liquid. Serve it with your favorite sides for an unforgettable outdoor dining experience.

https://www.dinewild.com/recipes/braised-bear-shank-a-slow-cooked-wilderness-feast/