Lamb Stew With Artichokes And Dried Figs Food

LAMB STEW WITH BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Dredge the lamb lightly with flour. Heat the oil in a large heavy casserole and brown the lamb pieces a few at a time, on all sides, turning them with tongs. Remove the browned pieces to a bowl.
• Add the stock, garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste and white wine. Scrape up the cooking juices with a spoon, stir well, and return the lamb pieces to the casserole along with the thyme, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat.
• After the meat has simmered for 30 minutes add the carrots. After 15 more minutes, add the onions. Cook the stew for one-and-a-half to two hours total, or until the meat is tender.
• Meanwhile, trim the tops (cutting off about two-thirds of an inch) and stalks from the artichokes. Remove tough outer leaves. Slice the artichokes vertically top to bottom in quarter-inch pieces. Place them in a large bowl filled with water and lemon juice to stop them from turning brown.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Saute the artichokes until brown and keep warm. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook just enough to change color. Sprinkle over the top of the artichokes. Just before serving the stew, sprinkle the artichokes over the top.

LAMB STEW WITH JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season the lamb with salt and black pepper; brown the meat (in batches, if necessary) on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Cook the artichokes in remaining tablespoon oil in same pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer artichokes to a separate bowl.
• Add onion, garlic, and ginger to remaining oil in pot; saute over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and juice, stock, saffron, and 1 teaspoon salt. Using the side of a wooden spoon, break up tomatoes. Add reserved lamb; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover, and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour.
• Return reserved artichokes to pot. Continue to simmer until artichokes are tender, about 25 minutes; add caperberries during final 5 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and black pepper; stir in cilantro. Discard cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom before serving.

LAMB, ARTICHOKE AND TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• In very large frying pan, melt butter.
• Add lamb and saute until lightly browned.
• Remove lamb and saute onions, garlic and parsley in pan drippings until tender.
• Put lamb, onions, garlic, and parsley in a large pot.
• Add salt, pepper, tomato paste, and wine, simmering, covered, until lamb is tender (about 1 1/2 hours).
• Add artichokes, mint, lemon juice, and tomatoes and simmer another 1 1/2 hours.

LAMB STEW WITH LEMON AND FIGS

Steps:

• Set strainer lined with double layer of cheesecloth over medium bowl. Place yogurt in strainer; cover and chill 3 to 5 hours to drain. Transfer yogurt to small bowl. Stir in mint; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.)
• Place 1/2 cup warm water and saffron in small bowl; let stand at least 20 minutes to infuse.
• Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook lamb until brown on all sides, adding more oil as needed, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Pour all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot (or add 1 tablespoon oil if dry); heat pot over medium heat. Add onions; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add lemon, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne. Stir 1 minute. Add saffron mixture; stir, scraping up browned bits. Add tomatoes with juice, figs, and lamb with any juices to pot. Stir to coat. Add 2 1/2 cups broth.
• Bring stew to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer until meat is tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls as needed if dry, about 1 1/2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and chill.)
• Bring stew to simmer, thinning with more chicken broth if necessary. Divide stew among 6 plates; top each serving with dollop of minted yogurt. Place wedge of Crispy Noodle Cake alongside each and serve.

LAMB AND ARTICHOKE STEW (GREEK)

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into 1 inch pieces.
• Clean the artichokes, placing them in a bowl filled with water and the lemon slices, so they don't discolor.
• Slice each artichoke heart in half.
• Pour the oil into a large saucepan and, over medium heat, sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the spring onions and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Increase the heat to high and add the meat.
• Brown the meat until it becomes a rich, dark colour.
• Add the hot stock and, as soon as it comes back to the boil, lower the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the artichokes, minced dill, juice and rind of 1 lemon, salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover again and simmer until the artichokes and the meat are very tender, about 15 minutes longer.
• Turn off heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, yolk, lemon juice and corn flour.
• With a ladle, slowly add the hot stock from the meat/artichokes to the egg/lemon mixture, whisking constantly.
• When you have added all the stock, pour the egg/lemon sauce over the meat, shaking the pan to mix it thoroughly, let it thicken slightly for about 2 minutes, and serve.