Yum: Lamb stew

Yes, Ruby, there is an unofficial "Hunger Games" recipe book, and it includes the recipe for lamb stew: alternative LINK


Yield 8-10 servings

• 5 pounds lamb fillet, shoulder or leg, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• ½ cup water
• 4 cups beef stock
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 3 teaspoons brown sugar
• 3 cups diced carrots
• 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1½ cups diced celery
• 2 large onions, diced
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 5 cups dried plums
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 3 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup ginger ale

Place lamb, salt, pepper, and flour in a large mixing bowl. Toss to coat meat evenly.

Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the meat, working in batches if you have to.

Remove lamb to a side plate. Pour off fat, leaving ¼ cup in the pan. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until the onion becomes golden. Deglaze frying pan with the ½ cup water, taking care to scrape the bottom of the pan to stir up all of the tasty bits of meat and onion. Cook to reduce liquid slightly, then remove from heat.

Place the lamb and garlic-onion mixture in a large stockpot. Add beef stock and sugar, stirring until sugars are dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, and simmer for 1½ hours.

Add the vegetables, dried plums, herbs, and ginger ale to the pot. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until meat and vegetables pierce easily with a fork.

 

and no, we don't eat a lot of lamb here...goat once in awhile but not lamb, although a neighbor does graze his goats and sheep in the vacant lot across the street...