Rich Irish stew

Heartening and filling Irish stew, Ireland’s national dish and loved the world over. All stews and casseroles benefit from being made the day before, this is no exception.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 450g mutton or lamb cutlets (bone removed) cut into 2″/5cm chunks
• 2 tablespoon plain flour
• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 1 large leek, cleaned and finely sliced
• 1 cup/170g carrots, roughly chopped
• 750 ml dark beef stock
• 2 or 3 cabbage leaves, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper

Method:

Heat your oven to 180C.

In a large frying pan heat half the oil to hot but not smoking. Add half the lamb pieces and brown all over by turning in the hot oil. Remove the lamb with tongs and place in a casserole, cover with a half of the quartered potatoes, onions, leeks and carrots.

Add the remaining oil to the frying pan, heat again then add the remaining lamb and brown all over as before. Add to the casserole and cover with the remaining vegetables.

Add the flour to the frying pan and stir really well to soak up any fat and juices. Cook on a gentle heat for 3 minutes then add stock a ladle at a time until you have a thick, lump-free sauce. Pour this sauce over the lamb and vegetables.

Add the remaining stock to the casserole, cover with a tight-fitting lid, cook in the oven for 1 hour.

Add the cabbage (if using) replace the lid and cook for another hour. Check from time to time to make sure the stock isn’t reducing too much – if it is, add a little boiling water. The meat and vegetables should always be covered by liquid. If the sauce is too runny at the end, you can always cook a little longer with the lid removed. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve piping hot and as it already has plenty of potatoes and vegetables it is unlikely it will need more. Perhaps a little crusty bread would be good though to soak up all that fabulous gravy.