Irish Lamb and Oat Stew with Root Vegetables
A hearty and comforting stew featuring tender lamb, nutrient-rich oats, and a medley of root vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection. This dish embodies the rustic flavors of Irish home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 100 g Rolled oats
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 2 medium Parsnips(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 medium Swede (rutabaga)(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1.5 L Beef or lamb stock
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
💡 Tip: Ensures even cooking for the stew. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove lamb and set aside.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6-8 minutes - 4
Return the lamb to the pot. Add the chopped carrots, parsnips, and swede. Stir in the beef or lamb stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are well combined. - 5
Bring the stew to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot tightly and transfer to the preheated oven.
⏱️ 2 hours - 6
After 2 hours, stir in the rolled oats. Continue to cook, covered, for another 30 minutes, or until the lamb is very tender and the oats have softened.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 7
Remove the bay leaf and herb sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the lamb in batches.
- ✓If the stew becomes too thick, add a little more stock or water.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheated; the flavors often improve the next day.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like potatoes or turnips.
- For a thicker stew, you can mash some of the cooked vegetables against the side of the pot.
- A splash of Irish stout can be added for an extra layer of flavor.