Pairing: Wild boar ragu

Wild boar ragu is a flavorful and hearty Italian dish with tender, slow-cooked wild boar meat paired with wide pappardelle noodles. The rich sauce incorporates red wine, tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery. This savory ragu offers a slightly gamy and nutty flavor due to the wild boar, and the meat is stewed to a succulent texture. Perfect for a special dinner, this dish brings rustic and earthy flavors to the table, with the wild boar providing a unique twist to the traditional ragu.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • Wild boar shoulder: Adds a gamier and leaner flavor compared to regular pork.
  • Garlic: Enhances the sauce with a subtle, savory depth.
  • Red wine: Adds acidity and complexity to balance the richness of the meat.
  • Carrots, celery, onion: Provide a flavor base, adding sweetness and umami to the sauce.
  • Crushed tomatoes: Build a rich, hearty sauce for the ragu.
  • Basil: Adds fresh herbal notes, lifting the dish.
  • Pappardelle pasta: Wide noodles capture the sauce well.
  • Romano cheese: Adds a sharp, salty finish.

Instructions

  1. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, sauté diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for 3-5 minutes until softened.
  2. Deglaze: Add red wine, simmer until slightly reduced.
  3. Build the sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes and stock, and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add wild boar: Add slow-cooked wild boar chunks and simmer for another hour, breaking up the meat as it softens. Adjust consistency with stock if needed.
  5. Cook pappardelle: Boil pappardelle as per package instructions, drain, and mix with some sauce.
  6. Serve: Top with additional sauce and freshly grated Romano cheese.

Serve With

Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Often referred to as the “King of Red Wines” due to its full-bodied nature and complexity.

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Tempranillo

Tempranillo is a prominent red wine grape variety native to Spain, often referred to as the “noble grape” of the country.

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