Spring Lamb Stew
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 pounds boneless lamb stew meat, cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch cubes, preferably from the shoulder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved and cut into thin slices
- 12 cloves garlic, peeled
- 12 small parsnip, washed and thoroughly peeled
- 12 small carrots, washed and thoroughly peeled
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 cup dry vermouth
- 1/4 cup smooth Dijon mustard
- 4 cups beef or lamb stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup shelled peas
- 2 cups curly mustard greens, washed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
- For me, small carrots and parsnips symbolize the beginning of the spring season.
- This stew recipe celebrates that for me.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat a Dutch oven over high heat and add the oil.
- Season the pieces of lamb on all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
- When the oil begins to smoke lightly, use a pair of metal tongs to arrange the lamb, in a single layer, in the hot oil.
- Brown the meat on all sides.
- Remove the meat to a medium bowl.
- Stir in the onions and season them lightly with salt.
- Cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, parsnips and carrots.
- Season with salt, to taste, and add the brown sugar.
- Cook until the vegetables become slightly tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the vermouth and cook until all of the liquid cooks out, an additional 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the mustard, beef stock and add the bay leaves.
- Add the lamb back into the pot, then cover and put it in the center of the oven.
- Cook until the meat is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove the stew from the oven and use a large spoon to skim any excess fat or impurities form the surface of the sauce.
- Taste for seasoning and remove the bay leaves.
- Stir in the peas.
- Allow it to "rest" for 15 minutes before serving.
- Stir in the mustard greens and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Serve immediately.
canola oil, meat, kosher salt, yellow onions, garlic, thoroughly, carrots, brown sugar, mustard, beef, bay leaves, shelled peas, curly mustard
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/spring-lamb-stew-recipe2.html (may not work)