Navajo Lamb Stew With Cornmeal Dumplings Recipes

NAVAJO LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large casserole over a high heat. Season the meat with plenty of salt and pepper, then add the lamb to the casserole and sear on all sides until it has developed a rich brown crust. You will probably need to do this in two batches. Remove from the casserole and add the onion. Fry until lightly browned, then stir in the garlic, coriander seeds, thyme and tomato purée. Continue to cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly, and then pour in 1 litre/1¾ pint water.
• Return the lamb to the casserole and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat, cover and leave to simmer for 1 hour. Add the celery, carrots, potatoes and cabbage, cover and cook for another hour.
• While the vegetables are cooking, make the dumplings. Mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and thyme, if using, in a bowl and season with plenty of salt and pepper. Add the butter and rub it in until you have a mixture resembling fine breadcrumbs. Gradually add the milk and work until you have a dough. Divide the dough into six dumplings.
• Add the sweetcorn to the casserole and push down into the liquid. Place the dumplings on top, cover and cook for around 20 minutes, until the dumplings are well risen and cooked through.

CHUCK WAGON STEW WITH CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• FOR THE STEW: Cut beef into 1 inch pieces. In paper bag, combine 1/4 cup flour, chili powder, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add meat a few pieces at a time; close bag and shake to coat. Repeat with remaining meat. Reserve remaining flour mixture in bag.
• In 5 quart Dutch oven over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp; remove bacon, reserving drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble and set aside.
• Over medium high heat in bacon drippings, cook meat until browned on all sides. With slotted spoon, remove meat to bowl, reserving drippings. In drippings, cook onion, green pepper, celery and garlic until tender. Stir in reserved flour mixture.
• Gradually stir in tomatoes, water, oregano and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until mixture boils, stirring constantly. Return meat to Dutch oven. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• FOR THE CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS: In medium bowl, stir together cornmeal, baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup flour. Add milk, egg and butter; stir just until smooth. Stir in reserved bacon. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto simmering stew. Cover; simmer 15 minutes more without lifting lid. Yields 6 cups.
• Great American Cookbook.

NAVAJO LAMB STEW WITH CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Sprinkle meat w/ salt and pepper. Heat 2 T oil in 5 quart Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add meat afew pieces at a time; cook until browned. Transfer meat to med bowl.
• Heat remaining 1/2 T oil over med heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is tender. Stir in wdater, tomato paste, chili powder and coriander.
• Return meat to Dutch oven. Add potatoes, carrots and celery leaves. Bring to a boil.
• Cover; reduce heat and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes or until meat is tender. During last 15 minutes of cooking, prepare cornmeal dumplings.
• Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt in med bowl. Cut in butter with fingers, pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Make a well in center; pour in milk all at once and stir with fork until mixture forms dough.
• Drop dough onto stew to make 6 dumblings. Cover and simmer 18 minutes or until dumplings are firm to the touch and wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Drop dough onto stew to make 6 dumplings. Cover and simmer 18 minutes or until dumplings are firm to the touch and wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• To serve, spoon stew onto individual plates; serve with dumplings.

LAMB STEW AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stock pot or stew pan. Add the lamb and brown all sides
• Add the onion and leeks. Once softened add the vegetables, pearl barley, garlic, herbs and the stock
• Bring to the boil then turn down and leave to simmer with the lid on for around 2 1/2 to 3 hours until meat is 'melt in mouth!' and barley is soft (taste to your liking)
• To Make the DUMPLINGS
• Mix the flour and suet and season to taste
• Add water to bind without making the mix too wet but enough to make into balls
• Divide into 8 - 12 dumplings (depending on how big you like them!) and roll into balls with floured hands
• Add to the stew for the last twenty minutes leaving the lid off the pan so they can rise without being restricted. The residue of flour should thicken the gravy of the stew
• Serve in large bowls with fresh crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy.
• TOP TIP;
• If you do not want dumplings then thicken the stew with gravy granules or a roux of flour and butter and serve.