Three Beasts Casserole Recipe
By Phillip Costandius

Casserole with venison, lamb, and pancetta recipe by Phillip Costandius paired with Solo Syrah wine. 

©Mike Carelse
Three Beasts Casserole by Phillip Costandius.

Ingredients

1 kg venison, cubed (preferably springbok) 
500 g lamb, cubed (preferably shank) 
salt and freshly ground black pepper 
cake flour 
olive oil 
8 shallots 
100 g pancetta, sliced into slivers 
500 ml brown stock 

Marinade 
½ onion 
4 whole cloves 
8 juniper berries, crushed 
8 black peppercorns, crushed 
250 ml Solo Syrah 
1 carrot, chopped 
½ stick celery, chopped 
2 bay leaves 
2 cloves garlic 
2 pieces lemon peel 
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary 

Recipe

Serves 6

First, make the marinade. Cut the onion into 4 pieces and stud each piece with a clove. Combine in a bowl with the rest of the marinade ingredients. Add the venison and lamb, toss well and leave in the fridge overnight to marinate. Lift the meat out of the marinade and drain off excess liquid. Set the marinade aside. Season the flour and use it to coat the meat. Heat some oil in a large, cast-iron pot and brown the shallots. Remove the shallots and brown all the meat, including the pancetta.  

Remove the meat and deglaze the pot with the reserved marinade. Add stock and bring to boil. Return the meat to the pot and bring everything to a simmering point. Cook for 45 minutes. Then add the shallots. Cook for another hour or more, until the meat, is meltingly tender. 

Wine Pairing

Solo Syrah 

Wine Notes

‘The ripe plum and savoury aromas of the Syrah complement the gamey character of the dish with its distinctive hint of cloves and juniper berries The wine’s elegance supports the food beautifully.’

By Wendy Toerien