• Cut the boar into a rough 3cm (1¼") dice.
• Cut the carrot, celery and onion into a 5-6mm (¼") dice.
• Cut the bacon into 5-6mm (¼") cubes.
• Slice the garlic cloves as finely as you can.
• Cut the tomatoes into quarters.
• Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized (2cm or ¾") pieces

Slow Cooker Instructions.

• Heat a 28cm or 11" frying pan over a medium heat and fry off the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a slow cooker, keeping the fat in the pan.
• Add the carrot, celery and onion to the pan and fry for 10 minutes on a medium heat to soften.
• Throw in the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, then transfer to the slow cooker.
• If the pan is looking dry, add a little more oil and add the wild boar in two batches, seasoning each with salt and pepper. Fry until nicely coloured, then add to the slow cooker.
• Return the frying pan to a high heat, and when it is searingly hot, pour in the red wine. Reduce the wine by half to two-thirds and then pour it over the meat in the slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the flour over the ingredients in the slow cooker and stir well.
• Add the tomato passata, water, tomatoes, caraway seeds, bay leaves and oregano or marjoram.

  Sprinkle over the paprika, stir and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
• Melt the butter in the pan and saute the mushrooms for 5 minutes.

  Add to the slow cooker and cook for a final 30 minutes on low, then serve

Stovetop Instructions.

• Heat a 24cm or 10" Dutch oven or saucepan with a lid and a heavy base over a medium heat.
• Add the oil and bacon and fry until crispy.
• Throw in the onion, celery and carrot and stir to coat in the bacon fat.
• Season the wild boar with salt and pepper, and then add the flour and mix to coat.
• Turn the heat up under the pan and add the boar, cook until browned, stirring regularly.
• Add the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the butter and mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  Add a lid and simmer on low for 2½ hours.
• Half an hour before you are ready to serve, saute the mushrooms in the butter.

  Add to the stew and simmer on low for a final 30 minutes.