Irish stew (1) [ballymaloe]

4 servings

Quantity Ingredient
3 pounds Lamb neck chops
4 mediums Carrots
4 mediums Onions
1 teaspoon Butter
Lamb fat or beef drippings
4 Potatoes
Salt and pepper
2½ cup Stock or water
1 teaspoon Parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Chives, chopped

There are more arguments about what makes a real Irish stew than about any other recipe in the repertoire. Some people claim that if you put carrots in it, it's not an Irish stew any more. Others say, leave the carrots in, but no parsnips! -- and the arguments go on.

Here are three good recipes from the experts (Theodora FitzGibbon, Biddy Whyte Lennon, and Myrtle Allen at Ballymaloe). Pick the one that sounds the best to you. I've made them all, and they're all super.

Irish Stew (1) [Ballymaloe] Servings: 4 Irish Stew (2) [Biddy Whyte Lennon] Servings: 4 Irish Stew (3) [Theodora FitzGibbon] Servings: 4 Shred some of the lamb fat and render it down in a heavy casserole.

Peel onions and potatoes, scrape carrots. Cut the meat into 8 pieces; only the excess fat is cut away. Bones need not be removed.

Cut the carrots and onions in quarters. Toss meat in fat until color changes, and repeat with onions and carrots. Add stock and season carefully. Put whole potatoes on top. Simmer gently until the meat is cooked, 2 hours approx. Pour off the cooking liquid. Degrease, and reheat in another saucepan. Check seasoning. Then swirl in butter, chives, parsley, and pour back over stew.

FIDO: Recipes From: Diane Duane From: Pat Stockett Date: 06-01-95 (159) Fido: Cooking

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