Irish Stew (Ballymaloe)

Ingredients

• 3 pounds lamb neck chops or other cut of lamb with bones
• 4 carrots
• 4 medium size onions
• 1 tablespoon butter fat of some type-lamb, beef or oil
• 4 large potatoes
• Salt and pepper
• 2 1/2 cups stock or water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Instructions

1. Add fat to the pan. If adding oil, just heat. If fat such as bacon fat, heat until it melts.
2. Peel the onions, potatoes and carrots. Cut the carrots and onions into quarters.
3. Cut the meat into 8 pieces; cutting of any excess fat. Bones need not be removed.
4. Brown the meat in fat until just browned and repeat with onions and carrots.
5. Add stock (use whatever stock is on hand or water) and season. If using canned stock, watch the salt as you won't need much. Place the whole potatoes on top.
6. Cover and simmer gently until the meat is cooked, about 2 hours.
7. Pour off the cooking liquid and de-fat.
8. Reheat just the broth in another saucepan. Taste for seasoning. Add in butter, chives and parsley. Pour over stew and serve.