Shepherd's stew

Shepherd's Stew

Shepherd's stew is a traditional dish that originated in the United Kingdom. It is a hearty and flavorful stew made with lamb or mutton, vegetables, and herbs. This article will provide a detailed recipe for making shepherd's stew, along with some variations and serving suggestions.

Ingredients

To make shepherd's stew, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) of lamb or mutton, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) of beef or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) of red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Follow these steps to make shepherd's stew:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. 2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. 3. Add the lamb or mutton pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides. 4. Once the meat is browned, add the diced carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. 5. Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and red wine (if using) to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. 6. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. 7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 8. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. 9. Simmer the stew for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together. 10. Serve the shepherd's stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Variations

Shepherd's stew can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few variations you can try:

• Lamb and Vegetable Stew: Replace the potatoes with additional vegetables such as peas, corn, or green beans.
• Guinness Shepherd's Stew: Substitute the red wine with Guinness stout for a rich and robust flavor.
• Vegetarian Shepherd's Stew: Omit the lamb or mutton and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or butternut squash for added texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Shepherd's stew is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with some accompaniments to enhance the dining experience. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• Crusty bread or dinner rolls: Serve the stew with some warm crusty bread or dinner rolls for dipping and sopping up the flavorful broth.
• Mashed potatoes: Spoon the stew over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting and filling meal.
• Side salad: Pair the stew with a fresh green salad or a simple cucumber and tomato salad to add some freshness and crunch.