Irish Stew

Ingredients
1 tbsp sunflower oil
200g smoked streaky bacon , preferably in one piece, skinned and cut into chunks
900g stewing lamb , cut into large chunks
5 medium onions , sliced
5 carrots , sliced into chunks
3 bay leaves
small bunch thyme
100g pearl barley
850ml lamb stock
6 medium potatoes , cut into chunks
small knob of butter
3 spring onions , finely sliced

Difficulty and servings
Serves 6

Preparation and cooking times
Prep 30 mins


Cook 2 hrs


Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole. Sizzle the bacon for 4 mins until crisp. Turn up the heat, then cook the lamb for 6 mins until brown. Remove the meats with a slotted spoon. Add the onions, carrots and herbs to the pan, then cook for about 5 mins until softened. Return the meat to the pan, stir in the pearl barley, pour over the stock, then bring to a simmer.
Sit the chunks of potato on top of the stew, cover, then braise in the oven, undisturbed, for about 1½ hrs until the potatoes are soft and the meat is tender. The stew can now be chilled and kept in the fridge for 2 days, then reheated in a low oven or on top of the stove. Remove from the oven, dot the potatoes with butter, scatter with the spring onions and serve scooped straight from the dish.
Lamb Middle neck (neck fillets) or scrag end are both really flavoursome and perfect for braising.