Australian Irish Shepherds Stew By Sy Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S IRISH STEW

Steps:

• Season lamb shoulder chops with salt and black pepper.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat. Working in batches, cook lamb shoulder chops until browned on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chops to a stock pot.
• Cook and stir onion with a pinch of salt in the same skillet over medium heat until slightly softened and edges are browning, about 5 minutes. Stir butter into onion until melted; add flour and stir until onions are coated, about 1 minute.
• Pour stock into onion mixture; bring to a boil, add rosemary, and stir until mixture thickens, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir carrots and celery into pot with lamb shoulder chops and pour chicken stock mixture over the top. Add water as needed to cover meat completely. Bring mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and cook until meat is almost falling off the bone, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer meat to a plate. Stir potatoes into stew and return meat to stew, placing on top of vegetables. Simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender and meat is falling off the bone, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer meat to a plate using a slotted spoon. Bring stew to a boil and cook, skimming off fat, until stew is reduced and thick, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove meat from bones; discard bones and any pieces of fat. Stir meat back into stew. Stir green onions into stew and season with salt and pepper to taste.

SHEPHERD'S STEW WITH DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground lamb, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple turns of pepper and cook, breaking up the meat a little, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon and reserve the pan drippings.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter to the pot. Stir in the carrots, onion and thyme and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until the flour is toasted, about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Return the meat to the pan, add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens and the meat is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the gnocchi and cook until warmed through, about 3 more minutes.
• Ladle the stew into bowls and sprinkle with the mint.