It was no surprise last week that I got to the point of being really tired of turkey. Given that it is a large bird, you have to be very creative with leftovers to use it up. I needed something different! It was a raw and rainy day so it also had to be comfort food.
I had some stewing lamb to use so I thought a red wine stew would do the trick. Very often the stewing meat comes in large pieces so I cut them down to smaller pieces. Makes it easier to eat. Dredge the meat in flour and season with sea salt and pepper.
In a large saucepan heat up some olive oil and start browning the lamb. While that is browning, cut up a scallion and a few cloves of garlic. Finely chop up a small handful of rosemary. Add it all to the saucepan.
Cook for a few minutes more then add about a cup of good red wine. Bring to a simmer and add a couple chopped mushrooms.
Add 3 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer. Keep it on a low simmer for a few hours to allow the flavours to develop and the meat to get nice and tender. Closer to dinner time add either potatoes or pasta. I chose pasta for this stew. I also added some sliced carrots. I didn’t add them at the beginning because I don’t like mushy carrots, just like I don’t like mushy peas!
Add buttered rustic toast and it was a great bowl to enjoy in comfy pjs and a bit of tele. I’m not complaining about the raw rainy day though. This winter has been mild so far, may it continue! Saves on the heating bills. 🙂
Comfort food indeed. Looks delicious and the wine must make the sauce rich. I am like you and like my stew meat cut into small pieces.
Enjoy the mild weather.
Thank you. Yes, I’ll be enjoying it as long as we can though they say the new year will bring a bunch of snow. In the meantime, I’ll take what I can get.
Gorgeous and comforting – hope you saved a glass of wine for the chef!
Absolutely!
Now this is a dish intended for chilly days and early nights. I, too, usually cut stewing meats into smaller chunks. It is so much easier to do it beforehand rather than in the serving bowls. We’re about 15˚ F above normal this week. I don’t know how long this will last but, guaranteed, it won’t be long enough. 🙂
We’ll just enjoy it while it lasts. I am not a winter person!
Very comforting indeed Virginia. I like it.
Thanks, Conor.
Good winter fare:)
Thank you. 😊
Very nice stew and I love that slice of bread 🙂
My husband made the bread. It’s so good!