Wild boar ragu

To prepare boar ragu, coarsely chop the celery 1, carrot 2 and onion 3.

Cut the boar into slices and place in a bowl 4, then add the vegetables and bay leaves, then cover with the red wine 5. Leave to marinade for at least 12 hours and no longer than 24 hours 6. This will tame the strong gamey flavor.

Once the marinating time is up, cut the meat 7 into small pieces, each around 0.4 inches (1 cm) in size 8, then leave them to one side and chop the carrots 9.

Do the same with celery 10 and onion 11. Place the vegetables in a pan with a drizzle of oil and the garlic cloves 12.

Add the juniper berries 13 and the aromatic herbs tied together with the cooking twine 14. Sweat all the vegetables for about 20 minutes, and add the tomato paste 15.

Add some red wine, and simmer 16. Once the alcohol has evaporated, add the previously chopped boar meat 17. Cook over medium/high flame for a few minutes and add the hot vegetable broth 18.

Cook with the lid half covering the pan 19 over a very low heat, until the broth is reduced and the meat becomes tender. It usually takes around 1.5 hours. Add the grated dark chocolate 20 and season with salt 21.

Add pepper to taste 22 and the boar ragu is ready 23 to be enjoyed with some homemade pasta 24.