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Ballymaloe Irish Stew for Two (or Four)

Ballymaloe Irish Stew for Two very hungry people or four not so hungry people is closely based on the original recipe. I took some liberties with plating but not with the ingredients themselves. You're going to love this simple and traditional Irish stew.
Course Main
Cuisine Irish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 2 -4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bone-in lamb loin chops
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
  • 6 oz baby carrots , peeled (or larger carrots, peeled and cut into chunks)
  • 8 oz pearl or cippolini onions , peeled (you can also use 1 large white onion cut into chunks)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2-4 medium white potatoes (one per serving)
  • sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley and thyme
  • Irish butter

Instructions

  • Cut off any fat on the loin chops. Set the meat aside.
  • In a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan, render the lamb fat over medium low heat. Discard "cracklin's." Set aside half the fat (maybe 1 tablespoon or so) Increase the heat to medium high.
  • Season the lamb with salt and pepper and brown well in the lamb fat. Remove from the pan.
  • Add the reserved lamb fat, and cook the onions and carrots with a bit of salt and pepper until caramelized in spots and somewhat softened, about ten minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and add the thyme sprigs.
  • Peel the potatoes and nestle them into the liquid.
  • Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are cooked through, about an hour. Carefully turn the potatoes after half an hour.
  • Remove the potatoes from the liquid and set aside to cool.
  • Continue to simmer the lamb and vegetables for another hour.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings, remove the bones from the chops and discard. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and return to the pot.
  • Cool and refrigerate the stew and the potatoes overnight or up to three days.
  • When you're ready to assemble and serve the stew, preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Divide the stew evenly between two two-cup oven-safe cups or bowls or four one-cup oven-safe cups or bowls.
  • Slice the potatoes into thick discs and arrange them on top of the stew in each bowl. Try to completely cover the stew with the potato slices. It's fine if you have two layers of potatoes.
  • Top each serving with a sprig or two each of parsley and thyme, a couple of thin pats of Irish butter, salt and pepper.
  • Cover each bowl with parchment and then foil. Place on a try to catch any spills, and bake for an hour.
  • Take off parchment and foil and broil until the potatoes brown in spots, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Allow stew to cool for ten minutes before serving.