Lamb Stew with Irish Stout and Fresh Mint

Lamb Stew with Irish Stout and Fresh Mint

Lamb Stew with Irish Stout and Fresh Mint

Thin ribbons of aromatic mint complement the richness of this stout-spiked gravy, and add a welcome touch of green. Serve with plenty of fluffy mashed potatoes.

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Ingredients

2 1/4 pounds of boneless lamb shoulder cut into 2-inch pieces
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons of olive oil divided
3 carrots cut into 2-inch pieces
2 turnips peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
2 onions halved and cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves cut into thin slices, divided
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups of chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (11.2 ounce) bottle of Irish stout such as Guinness
1 cup of fresh or frozen peas

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300˚F. Trim away any excess fat from the lamb. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Add lamb and toss to coat.
  2. In a Dutch oven or other flameproof casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, add the lamb to the pot and cook, turning, until nicely browned on all sides. Remove to a plate.
  3. Discard the cooking oil from the pot; then add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, turnips, onions, and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the onions have softened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Add the reserved lamb along with any juices that have collected on the plate, the bay leaf, and 1 tablespoon of the mint. Stir in the chicken stock and stout and cook uncovered over medium-high heat until the liquid begins to boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours, or until the lamb is fork-tender but not falling apart. Stir in the peas and cook 5 minutes longer, or until heated through. Taste, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf, stir in the remaining mint, and serve warm.