Elk Stew Bourguignon - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs farm-raised elk meat
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 slices bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut in 1-inch chunks
2 stalks celery, cut in 1-inch chunks
3 small potatoes, skin on, cubed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 juniper berries
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups beef stock

Preparation

Cut meat into 1\" cubes and pat dry. Mix flour, salt and pepper in a bowl or plastic bag. Add meat cubes, a few at a time to coat. Shake off excess flour and reserve.
Heat a large heavy pot over medium-high heat and fry bacon until crisp. Remove, blot excess fat, chop and reserve. Note; this can be done in advance.
Heat olive oil in the same pot and quickly brown meat in batches on all sides. Transfer to a large bowl and reserve.
Reduce heat to medium, add onions, carrots, celery and potatoes. Cook, stirring until onions are softened.
Stir in tomato paste, juniper, thyme and bay leaf, then add wine and wine vinegar. Bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
Add stock and reserved meat with juices to the pot. Return to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until meat is tender. Add additional flour to thicken or water to thin to desired gravy consistency. Stir in bacon.