Mary Berry Lamb Stew Food

MARY BERRY'S IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Cook time: 2-2½ hours, plus resting 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4. 2. Season the flour with salt and pepper and then toss the lamb in the flour. Heat some of the oil in a wide-based flameproof and ovenproof casserole dish with a lid, then fry the lamb on all sides over a high heat for 4-6 minutes until golden. Fry the lamb in batches, adding more oil as needed and removing each batch with a slotted spoon to set aside while you cook the rest. 3. Add a little more oil to the pan, then tip in the onions, celery and carrots and fry over a medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and thyme and scatter the browned lamb over the top. Pour over the stock and bring to the boil. 4. Reduce the heat and arrange the potatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper as you layer the potato slices, gently pressing down so the liquid rises to cover them. 5. Cover with the lid and carefully transfer to the oven to cook for 1½-2 hours or until the lamb and potatoes are both tender. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6, remove the lid and cook for a further 8-10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden. 6. Allow to stand for 5 minutes and remove the bay leaves before serving with a leafy green vegetable, such as chard or cabbage. Mary's Classic Tips: * Ask your butcher to give you the bones from the filleted neck - perfect for making stock. Roast the bones for a fuller flavour, then cover with water and simmer with herbs and chopped vegetables for an hour. Freeze to use when you next make stew. * Check the stew after 1½ hours - you don't want it to dry out, particularly as it will be cooked for another 8-10 minutes.

IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole. Sizzle the bacon for 4 mins until crisp. Turn up the heat, then cook the lamb for 6 mins until brown. Remove the meats with a slotted spoon. Add the onions, carrots and herbs to the pan, then cook for about 5 mins until softened. Return the meat to the pan, stir in the pearl barley, pour over the stock, then bring to a simmer.
• Sit the chunks of potato on top of the stew, cover, then braise in the oven, undisturbed, for about 1½ hrs until the potatoes are soft and the meat is tender. The stew can now be chilled and kept in the fridge for 2 days, then reheated in a low oven or on top of the stove. Remove from the oven, dot the potatoes with butter, scatter with the spring onions and serve scooped straight from the dish.

LAMB STEW (NAVARIN OF LAMB)

Steps:

• Trim the meat of fat and connective tissue, then cut in 3/4 inch cubes.
• Prepare the vegetables: peel onions and cut into wedges; mince garlic finely; peel carrots, parsnips and potatoes and cut into small chunks; clean celery and slice; top and tail green beans.
• In a large dutch oven saute meat in batches in butter and oil till browned; remove, drain and set aside.
• In what remains of the butter/oil in the pan, saute onion till golden.
• Add garlic, carrot, parsnip and celery and sweat for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir the flour in well, then add tomato paste and mustard.
• Return the meat to the pan; add potatoes and bouquet garni.
• Pour in the beef stock and mix thoroughly.
• Bring to the boil and then reduce heat, simmering covered for 1 hour.
• Add the green beans and cook for a further 20 to 30 minutes;.
• the meat should be tender and the sauce thick.
• Remove bouqet garni, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with a crusty bread.

HEARTY LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large casserole. Tip in the lamb and cook for 5 mins until any liquid has disappeared, then add the onion, carrots and leeks. Cook for 5 mins more, stirring often, until the veg is starting to soften.
• Pour over the stock, add the rosemary, cover with a lid and cook over a low heat for 1 hr. Stir in the beans and cook for 30 mins more, topping up with water if necessary, until the lamb is tender and cooked through. Serve with some crusty bread or potatoes, if you like.