Nomad's Lamb Stew

When summer weather starts to dissipate and cool air seeps in through the house, it's great to know soup is socially acceptable again. I love preparing soup, it's a bit of a lost art. Because a few choice ingredients go a long way, soup provides the perfect opportunity to eat a hearty yet lavish meal. This soup is refined yet incredibly comforting, it borrows elements from traditional Irish lamb stew, French onion soup, and beef bourguignon. Because lamb is not a major market in the United States, domestic lamb is naturally grass fed and antibiotic free, so try to avoid imported lamb. This stew also has plenty of bold flavors, so I don't like to use many herbs. In fact, I only use dill to brighten it up, but its completely optional. Also, my household is comprised of 2 people and a dog so my serving are usually for 2-3, but feel free to add 1-2 extra cups of chicken stock to feed more people. There's still plenty of good stuff to go around.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cubed lamb
  • 1 large sweet onion chopped in half-moons
  • 2-3 medium potatoes cut in half
  • 3 large carrots, diced
  • 1 cup dried mushrooms
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/2 tsp dill
  • dash of salt
Instructions: 

Servings: 3-4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 1 hr 15 min

  1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onions and dash of salt. Don't stir. Cover and let sweat over low heat for 30 minutes.
  2. Add the wine, deglaze the pot then add the chopped garlic cloves.
  3. Let sit over low heat until the wine starts to thicken, about 15 minutes.
  4. Add the chicken stock and the dried mushrooms.
  5. Meanwhile, grab a frying pan and with a little butter gently brown the potatoes then add them to the stew.
  6. In the same frying pan, gently brown the lamb and add it to the stew.
  7. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover, let simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
  8. Add carrots and dill and simmer for 10 minutes more.
  9. Serve with a nice crusty bread and enjoy.