Basque Lamb Stew

Pulled from a back issue of Saveur magazine.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lamb shoulder, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
  • ⅓ sprig fresh rosemary
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • ⅔ Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ large onion, peeled and chopped
  • ⅓ large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch strips
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • ⅔ tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 small ripe tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  • 2 sprigs parsley, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cup dry, full-bodied red wine
  • ¼ cup chicken stock

Method

  1. Combine the lamb, 1/2 of the garlic cloves, rosemary, and white wine in a medium bowl. Let marinate for 2-3 hours.
  2. Drain the meat, discard the marinade, and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan with lid, over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the meat on all sides, about 10 minutes per batch.
  4. Return all meat to the pot. Add onions, bell peppers, remaining garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, scraping browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon, until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in paprika, tomatoes, parsley, bay leaf, and red wine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until juices in pot reduce and thicken slightly, about 10-15 minutes.
  6. Add chicken stock, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  7. Adjust seasonings.

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