Spicy Mexican Lamb Stew Food

SPICY MEXICAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 180C / 160C fan/ gas mark 4 / 350F.
• Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large ovenproof saucepan or cast iron casserole dish. Add the onion and cook on a gentle heat, with the lid on, for about 3 minutes, until the onions are softened but not brown.
• Add the garlic, chilli, cumin, paprika and cocoa. Stir well and cook for 1 more minute with the lid off. Add a splash of water if it gets too dry.
• Next add in the lamb. Stir well to coat the meat in the onions and spices and then add the tomatoes, plus salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring the stew to the boil and then put the lid on and put in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes add the beans and red/yellow pepper and continue cooking for another 45 minutes (1 hour 30 in total).
• While the stew is in the oven, make your salsa by combining all the salsa ingredients in a small bowl and setting it aside to allow the flavours to develop.
• When the stew is ready, remove from the oven and stir through the chopped coriander and lime juice, if using. Serve with tortillas or rice and the salsa.

SPICY LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Sear the lamb on all sides: Pat the lamb dry with a paper towel. Drying the lamb this way first will help the lamb pieces brown. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy, high-sided pot, such as a Dutch oven, over medium high heat. When the pot is hot, add the lamb pieces in batches, being careful not to crowd them. Cook, turning as needed so that the lamb pieces brown evenly on all sides, for 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Sauté onions, peppers, chiles, garlic: Return the pot to medium-high heat. Add the onions, dried peppers and red bell peppers and stir to coat with the oil in the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute.
• Make a bouquet garni with parsley, thyme, bay leaf: Make a bouquet garni by placing the parsley, thyme and bay leaf in the center of a doubled over cheesecloth square. Gather the ends and secure with kitchen string.
• Add spices, tomatoes, lamb, stock, raisins, herbs, simmer and cook: Stir in the paprika, cumin, and cardamom and cook for a minute. Add the puréed (or cooked tomatoes put through a food mill) tomatoes, lamb, chicken stock, raisins and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil over high heat, decrease heat to low. Cook, partially covered, for about 3 hours, or until lamb is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over couscous or rice (gluten-free option). Recipe adapted from a Village Pub lamb tagine recipe in the Niman Ranch Cookbook .

SPICED LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Trim any visible fat from the lamb and cut it into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then toss with the flour.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil-or vegetable oil-in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Add the floured lamb pieces and the chopped onion. Cook the lamb until browned on all sides, stirring frequently.
• Add the onion and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes longer, or until the onion is translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer.
• Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, until lamb is tender.
• Serve over hot cooked rice, grits or polenta, or couscous, or serve with hot buttered noodles or potatoes.

MEXICAN-STYLE LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Heat a large, non-stick pan over a high heat. Toss the lamb with seasoning then fry in batches until browned all over (there should be enough fat on the lamb so you won't need oil). Scoop out with a slotted spoon and add the onion and garlic to the pan. Cook for 7 minutes until the onions have started to soften. Add the chilli paste, oregano and spices, and stir, then cook for 3-4 minutes. Return the lamb to the pan and stir until coated in the onion and spices.
• Pour in the vinegar, tomatoes, chicken stock, sugar and peppers. Simmer for 1 hour then check the lamb. If not tender enough, cook for another 20-30 minutes. Serve with the accompaniments and rice.

SPICY MEXICAN LAMB KEBABS

Steps:

• Soak ancho chile in small bowl of boiling water to cover 30 minutes or until chile is soft. Strain, reserving soaking liquid. Place chile and all remaining marinade ingredients in blender; blend to form smooth paste, adding reserved soaking liquid as needed.
• Pour marinade over lamb and red onion in resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate 2 hours, turning occasionally.
• Heat grill. Remove lamb and onion from marinade, leaving on plenty of the spice paste; discard marinade. Alternately thread lamb and onion onto 4 (12-inch) metal skewers. Grill, covered, over medium-high heat or coals 8 to 10 minutes or until browned on all sides and lamb is pink in center. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.