Tag: Mains
Irish Lamb Stew
Tender lamb & vegetables braised with Guinness stout make this Irish-inspired stew rich and comforting
One of our favorite comfort foods has to be stew
Hearty, warming, and filling what’s not to like?
We are taking this stew to the next level and making an Irish-inspired stew with lamb and Guinness Stout
We are using lamb shoulder chops which is usually a cheaper cut of lamb
That is because typically it is a tougher cut which makes it perfect for a stew
As it braises it will become very, very tender
Now you can have the butcher cut up lamb stew meat for you but we are going to process this ourselves
We are starting with 12 bone-in lamb chops

Remove the meat from the bones and trim off any excess fat
Try to cut the meat into even sized cubes
This yielded around 2 1/2 pounds of lamb stew meat



Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat
We are going to sear the lamb in batches, so add some into the pot and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of The Spice Apothecary’s Everyday Seasoning

Brown the stew meat on all sides then remove and set aside
Repeat until all the meat has been browned
It’s ok to have small brown bits of meat stuck to the bottom of the pot
That will just add flavor later on

Comfort food, especially stews are delicious because you continuously add layers of flavor
The first layer was the searing of the lamb
Now we are going to start on the next layer of flavor
We will need 3 slices of bacon, 1 onion, and 3 garlic cloves

Peel and chop the onion and garlic
Cut the bacon into small pieces

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the bacon to the pot

Cook for 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally, until the bacon is brown and rendered

Next, add the onion and garlic

Stir to combine
Cook for 4-6 minutes stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and the onion starts to become translucent

Next, we will need 1/4 cup of flour, one 14.9 ounce can of Guinness Stout (I did say Irish stew), 6 cups of beef stock, 2 tablespoons of Gravy Master, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary and 1 sprig of fresh thyme
Click on our link to make Homemade Beef Stock

Sprinkle the vegetables with the flour and stir to combine

Deglaze the bottom of the pot with the Guinness and stir it up breaking up the browned bits on the bottom (this will help flavor the gravy)
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer cook for 5-6 minutes to cook the alcohol off

Next, add in the Gravy Master and Worcestershire Sauce and stir

Add in the beef stock and stir to combine

Put the meat back in with any pan juices that have collected

We tied the rosemary and thyme together with a piece of butcher string just to make it easier to remove the stems later on

Add the sprigs to the pot and cover
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes stirring occasionally

While that’s cooking let’s get the next 2 ingredients ready
We will need 4 red potatoes and 4 carrots

Leave the skins on the potatoes
Peel the carrots and remove the ends
Give everyone a chop trying your best to keep the pieces as even as possible

After the 45 minutes are up add the potatoes and carrots to the pot and stir to combine
Cover and bring to a boil reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender

We might be breaking a bit of tradition here but I cannot have stew without mushrooms
We are using 10 ounces of Baby Bella mushrooms that have been wiped clean of any dirt

Give the mushrooms a slice

Add these to the stew

Now this time I know I’m breaking tradition
My wife and daughter just love pearl onions (or “Pearled” onions as my daughter used to call them)

So I’m adding in 1 cup of frozen pearl onions

Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes
Remove the stems you tied together of the rosemary and thyme
Next, we will need 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley that we will chop
This will add a bright freshness to the rich stew

Remove the stew from the heat
Taste and re-season the stew with kosher salt and ground black pepper as needed
Add in the fresh chopped parsley

Dig into a warming hearty bowl of Irish Stew!

Enjoy!!!
Simply Sunday! ~ Irish Lamb Stew
Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds of lamb stew meat
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of The Spice Apothecary’s Everyday Seasoning
3 slices of bacon
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup of flour
one 14.9 ounce of Guinness Stout
6 cups of beef stock
2 tablespoons of Gravy Master
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce
1 fresh sprig of rosemary
1 fresh sprig of thyme
4 red potatoes
4 carrots
10 ounces of Baby Bella mushrooms
1 cup of frozen pearl onions
2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
Directions
If butchering your own lamb shoulder chops remove the meat from the bones and trim off any excess fat. Try to cut the meat into even-sized cubes. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat
Sear the lamb in batches. Add some into the pot and sprinkle with The Spice Apothecary’s Everyday Seasoning. Brown the stew meat on all sides then remove and set aside. Repeat until all the meat has been browned
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 3 slices of chopped bacon to the pot. Cook 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally, until the bacon is brown and rendered. Next, peel and chop 1 onion and 3 garlic cloves and add them to the pot. Stir to combine. Cook for 4-6 minutes stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and the onion starts to become translucent
Sprinkle the vegetables with 1/4 cup of flour and stir to combine. Deglaze the bottom of the pot with the Guinness and stir it up breaking up the browned bits on the bottom (this will help flavor the gravy). Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer cook for 5-6 minutes to cook the alcohol off
Next, add in 2 tablespoons of Gravy Master and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce along with 6 cups of beef stock and stir to combine. Add the meat back in with any pan juices that have been collected. Tie 1 sprig of fresh rosemary and 1 sprig of fresh thyme together and add them to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes stirring occasionally
Leave the skins on 4 red potatoes and chop. Peel and remove the ends from 4 carrots and chop. After the 45 minutes are up add the potatoes and carrots to the pot and stir to combine. Cover and bring to a boil reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender
Wipe any dirt off of 10 ounces of Baby Bella mushrooms and slice. Add these to the stew along with 1 cup of frozen pearl onions. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes
Remove the stew from the heat. Taste and re-season with kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Remember to remove the stems from the rosemary and thyme you tied together earlier. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley and serve
Tools used to make this recipe
ZELITE INFINITY Chef Knife 8 inch
ZELITE INFINITY Boning Knife 6 Inch
Architec Carving Board, Gripperwood
OXO Good Grips Flat Wire Whisk
Royal Classique 10 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set with Silicone Handles
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Anchor Hocking 8 Cup Measuring Cup Glass Batter Bowl with Spout
© Simply Sundays 2018
All rights reserved
Teriyaki Chicken
Pork & Peppers
Seared pork chops cooked with sweet, spicy and tangy peppers in a wine and stock based sauce!
I have come across this dish in a couple restaurants and it easily became a favorite of mine because it is simple and rustic and that speaks to me when it comes to food
Of course, when I have had something enough times to call it a favorite it is time for me to make my own version
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Preheat your oven to 450 F
Let’s start off with the pork
We are using 4 bone-in center cut pork chops that we have removed any excess fat from

Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven proof pan over medium high heat and add in the chops
Sprinkle the back side with kosher salt and ground black pepper

Sear for 3 minutes
Flip and sear for another 3 minutes
Place the pan in the oven and cook an additional 3 minutes
Remove the chops from the pan and set aside

Next we will need 1 red bell pepper, 5 mild cherry peppers, 5 pepperoncini peppers and 3 garlic cloves

Remove the stem, ribs and seeds from the bell pepper and chop
Remove the stem and most of the seeds from the cherry peppers and pepperoncini peppers and slice
Peel and slice the garlic

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the pan you cooked the pork in over medium heat

Add in the peppers and garlic

Saute for 4-6 minutes

Next we will need 1/2 cup of dry white wine (like a Chardonnay), 1/4 cup of flour and 1 cup of chicken stock
Click on our link to make Homemade Chicken Stock

Add the wine to the peppers

Bring the wine to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook 6-8 minutes
You want the wine to reduce by half and the alcohol to cook off

Sprinkle with the flour and stir to combine

Add the stock next and stir


Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook 4-6 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken slightly

Nestle the pork chops back in and cover with the pepper sauce
Heat for 4-6 minutes to warm up the chops and meld the flavors
Serve topped with the pepper sauce!

Enjoy!!!
Simply Sundays! ~ Pork & Peppers
Ingredients
4 bone-in pork chops
kosher salt
ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 red bell pepper
5 mild cherry peppers
5 pepperoncini peppers
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of dry white wine (like a Chardonnay)
1/4 cup of flour
1 cup of chicken stock
Directions
Remove any excess fat from 4 bone-in pork chops. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven proof pan over medium high heat and add in the chops. Sprinkle the back side with kosher salt and ground black pepper
Sear for 3 minutes. Flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Place the pan in a 450 F preheated oven and cook an additional 3 minutes. Remove the chops from the pan and set aside
Remove the stem, ribs and seeds from 1 red bell pepper and chop. Remove the stem and most of the seeds from 5 mild cherry peppers and 5 pepperoncini peppers and slice. Peel and slice 3 garlic cloves
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the pan you cooked the pork in over medium heat. Add in the peppers and garlic. Saute for 4-6 minutes
Add 1/2 cup of dry white wine (like a Chardonnay) to the peppers. Bring the wine to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook 6-8 minutes. You want the wine to reduce by half and the alcohol to cook off. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of flour and stir to combine
Add 1 cup of chicken stock next and stir. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook 4-6 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Nestle the pork chops back in and cover with the pepper sauce. Heat for 4-6 minutes to warm up the chops and meld the flavors. Serve topped with the pepper sauce
Tools used to make this recipe
ZELITE INFINITY Chef Knife 8 inch
Architec Carving Board, Gripperwood
Royal Classique 10 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set with Silicone Handles
© Simply Sundays 2018
All rights reserved
Lamb Spiedies
One of our favorites!
Tender marinated and braised lamb, tart and creamy tzatziki sauce topped with pickled onions and cucumbers on warmed flat bread
Typically we try to come up with a dinner theme for the holidays
We have had the normal classic Christmas rib roast with all the trimmings, we have had a Southern Christmas featuring fried chicken, ribs, mac and cheese and even baked beans
This year we decided to go with a Greek theme
My brother in law Anthony decided he would make lamb spiedies for an appetizer which sounded good to us
Typically Spiedies are some form of meat or protein that marinate for days and are grilled and served on a roll
In fact you can click on our link for a great Chicken Spiedies recipe
What happened with this recipe though ended up being a great twist
Since it was winter Anthony decided not to deal with the grill outside and instead braised the lamb in a dutch oven which produced delicious fork tender meat
He also added green bell pepper and onion which added wonderful flavours
Here is our recreation of this great dish
When we went to the butcher they were out of lamb stew meat so I bought 8 lamb shoulder chops

I decided to butcher the meat myself
Remove the meat from the bones and trim off any excess fat
Try to cut the meat into even sized cubes

This yielded around 2 pounds of lamb stew

Now for the spiedie marinade
We will need 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 3 chopped garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 tablespoon of dry basil, 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of dry oregano and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper

Add the above ingredients to a large bowl

Whisk to incorporate

Add the lamb to a large resealable bag
Cover with the marinade, force the air out of the bag and seal
Refrigerate up to 4 days flipping the bag over once per day


Now my brother in law served these spiedie style on rolls
We decided to go a more Greek route and use flatbreads with Tzatziki Sauce
Click on our link to make your own tzatziki!
I also thought some pickled veggies would be a great contrast to the richness of the lamb so we decided to do a quick pickle of red onion and cucumbers
You can do this a day ahead or even a couple hours ahead of the lamb dinner
Slice 1 red onion and cut 1/2 of an English cucumber into strips

We placed these into a mason jar
Put some onion then cucumber and alternate until everyone is in

Next up is the pickling brine
We will need 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1 smashed garlic clove, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns

Add these ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a simmer and whisk until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved

Immediately pour over the onion and cucumber

Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight or for at least a couple of hours
I like to flip the jar every hour or so
The veggies will soften and pickle and settle way down in the jar

Now let’s get back to the lamb
Strain the lamb

Preheat your oven to 350 F
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat
Brown the lamb in batches and remove and set aside

Next we will need 1 green bell pepper and 1 onion

Peel and slice the onion
Remove the seeds and ribs from the pepper and slice
Add the veggies to the pot along with a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper

Cook for 4-6 minutes stirring occasionally

Next we will need 1/2 cup of dry red wine (like a Cabernet), 1 cup of lamb stock (or beef), 1 tablespoon of Gravy Master and 1/4 cup of flour

Add the meat into the pot along with the red wine
Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 4-6 minutes

Add in the Gravy Master and stir to combine

Sprinkle the meat with the flour and stir

Add in the stock

Stir to combine
Cover and place into the oven

Cook 45 minutes or until the lamb is very tender

I like to place the flat breads in the oven to warm for 5-6 minutes
Top the flat bread with some Tzatziki Sauce

Top with some of this wonderful tender lamb

Top with the quick pickles and dig in!

Enjoy!!!
Simply Sundays! ~ Lamb Spiedies
Ingredients
For the Spiedie marinade
1 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of white vinegar
3 garlic cloves
1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon of dry basil
1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder
2 teaspoons of dry oregano
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
For the lamb
2 pounds of lamb stew
1 onion
1 green bell pepper
1/2 cup of dry red wine (like a Cabernet)
1 cup of lamb stock (or beef)
1 tablespoon of Gravy Master
1/4 cup of flour
kosher salt and ground black pepper
Flatbreads (optional)
Tzatziki Sauce (optional)
For the quick pickled vegetables
1 red onion
1/2 of an English cucumber
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of water
1 garlic clove (smashed)
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
Directions
Remove the meat from the bones off of 8 lamb shoulder chops and trim off any excess fat. Try to cut the meat into even sized cubes
In a large bowl whisk together 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 3 chopped garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 tablespoon of dry basil, 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of dry oregano and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
Place the lamb in a large resealable bag. Cover with the marinade, force the air out of the bag and seal. Refrigerate up to 4 days flipping over once per day. After the lamb has marinated strain it
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Brown the lamb in batches and remove and set aside. Peel and slice 1 onion. Remove the seeds and ribs from 1 green bell pepper and slice
Add the veggies to the pot along with a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper. Cook for 4-6 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the meat back into the pot along with 1/2 cup of dry red wine (like a Cabernet). Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 4-6 minutes
Add in the Gravy Master and stir to combine. Sprinkle the meat with the 1/4 cup of flour and stir. Add in the stock. Stir to combine. Cover and place into the oven. Cook 45 minutes or until the lamb is very tender
For the quick pickled vegetables
Peel and slice 1 red onion. Slice 1/2 of an English cucumber into strips. Add these to a mason jar alternating
In a saucepan combine 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1 smashed garlic clove, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
Bring to a simmer. Whisk until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved and immediately pour over the onion and cucumber. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight or for at least a couple of hours flipping the jar every hour or so
The veggies will soften and pickle and settle way down in the jar
For serving
Warm some flatbreads in the oven for 5-6 minutes (optional). Serve with some Greek Tzatziki Sauce (optional) and quick pickles (optional)
Tools used to make this recipe
ZELITE INFINITY Boning Knife 6 Inch
Architec Carving Board, Gripperwood
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
© Simply Sundays 2018
All rights reserved
