Venison and chestnut stew

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan130°C/gas 2. Toss the venison pieces in the flour and shake off the excess. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a casserole and brown the meat in batches. Remove to a plate.

2. Add the remaining oil and bacon and cook until golden. Add the onions and cook for 15 minutes, until browned. Stir in the remaining flour, stock, purée, port, thyme and juniper. Bring to the boil and stir.

3. Add the venison, season and stir well. Cover with foil and a lid and cook in the oven for 1½ hours. Uncover, stir in the chestnuts and simmer for 20 minutes to thicken the sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potato.