Basic Black Bear Stew

Exotic Meats, USA recently opened a retail store in San Antonio.  They offer a huge selection of exotic meats, from around the world.  Anyway, I was by there last week and bought a pound of black bear stew meat.  I chose to make a very basic stew, that let the flavor of the meat be the theme of the dish.  These quantities are for a small stew, you can make it as large as you want!

First, cut any large chunks into 1"x1" cubes.  Brown in 2T of olive oil, sea salt and black pepper to taste, and add 2T finely diced fresh garlic.  After it is browned, set it aside and put 2 cups of stock in the stew pot and get it boiling.  Add one large potato, cut into 1.5"x1.5" chunks, three medium carrots (1/2" pieces), 1/2 large sweet onion (chopped).  Add water, or beer, to raise the fluid level even with the vegetables and let cook on medium until the carrots and potatoes are tender.  Add the meat and 1 cup of shiitake mushrooms and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Add cornstarch to thicken to desired consistency.

I drank Enotria Dolcetto 2000 with it, and it was an outstanding match; but any big hearty red would work just fine.  I was surprised at the leanness of the meat, and the darkness as well.  The texture was between venison and beef and the flavor was surprisingly mild; not at all "gamey".  Check out Exotic Meats, USA.  I think their website is: www.exoticmeats.com but don't hold me to that.