Ultimate Lamb Stew Tyler Florence Food

LAMB SHANK STEW WITH RUSSET POTATO TOP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Begin by preparing shanks: On a large plate, season flour with plenty of salt and pepper then lightly dredge the shank pieces. Set a large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a 2-count of olive oil then carefully add the shanks to the pot and brown all over. Remove the shanks to a plate and set aside. Toss in the garlic, carrots, onion, bay leaf, thyme and cloves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, browning the vegetables, then add wine, beef stock and finally barley. Return the shanks to the pan. Cover and roast in the oven for 2 hours.
• While they are cooking, prepare the potato crust and Garlic-Parsley Butter: Chop garlic, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Press and mash the garlic with the flat blade of your knife to form a paste. Fold in the chopped parsley. Melt the butter in a small sauce pot and add the garlic-parsley mixture. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes and set aside. Peel the potatoes and cut in half lengthwise.
• After the stew has been cooking for 2 hours, remove from oven and arrange potatoes on top to completely cover the stew - you may have to cut some of the potato pieces smaller to fit. Place back in the oven uncovered and bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked, then baste with garlic-parsley butter.
• Serve the stew garnished with parsley sprigs.

ULTIMATE LAMB STEW - TYLER FLORENCE

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Season lamb with salt and pepper as well, then dredge lamb pieces in flour and tap off excess.
• Set a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and wait until it smokes. Place lamb pieces in the pot. Brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
• Add garlic, carrot and onion to pot. When onion is soft and translucent, 3-5 minutes, add stock and wine. Add bay leaf, thyme, cloves and barley. Return the meat to the braising liquid. Cover and transfer to a preheated 350°F oven and cook 2 hours.
• Arrange potatoes, cut side down, over the top of the stew, completely covering the surface (you may need to cut the last one or two to make it fit). Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return to oven, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small pot. Chop garlic roughly, then drizzle with olive oil and salt. Chop more finely, then press and mash with the side of your knife blade until it forms a paste. (Alternatively, combine garlic with oil and salt in a mortar and grind with pestle.) Add chopped parsley and add to the melted butter. Cook very slowly until heated all the way through.
• Brush potatoes with garlic butter and serve.

THE ULTIMATE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with the oil and butter.
• While the pan is heating, arrange the flour on a large dish. Season the cubed beef with some salt and freshly ground black pepper and then toss in the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour and add the beef chunks in a single layer to the hot pan, being careful not to over crowd the pan, you might have to work in batches. Thoroughly brown all of the cubes on all sides. Once all the meat has been browned remove it to a plate and reserve.
• Add the wine to the pan and bring up to a simmer while you scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon being sure to loosen up all those tasty bits. Once the wine has gotten hot add the browned meat, thyme, smashed garlic, orange zest strip, ground cloves, freshly ground black pepper and salt, to taste, bay leaves and beef stock. Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered until the liquids start to thicken, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 hours.
• After 2 hours add halved potatoes, sliced carrots, pearl onions and mushrooms, along with a pinch of sugar to balance out the acid from the red wine. Turn the heat up slightly and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes more, until the vegetables and meat are tender. Add the frozen peas during the last minute of cooking. Season with salt and pepper and remove the thyme sprigs.
• To serve, place the stew in a soup bowl, garnish with parsley, drizzle with olive oil and add a dollop of Horseradish Sour Cream. Right before serving add a slice of Toasted Peasant Bread, half way submerged in the stew.
• Combine sour cream, prepared horseradish and a drizzle of olive oil in a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add a dollop of the mixture on top of the stew and garnish with chopped chives.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Put a sheet pan in the oven so that it gets good and hot.
• Place the bread slices on the hot sheet pan. Drizzle the bread with the extra-virgin olive oil bake for 5 minutes, until the bread is nicely toasted. Rub the bread slices with the garlic cloves, and discard garlic. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.