Glens of Antrim Irish Stew

Recipe from: Glens of Antrim region of Ireland – per Liam Neeson

• Ready In: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  ounce butter
• 2  lbs lamb or 2  lbs beef, cubed
• 1  large onion, coarsely chopped
• 2  carrots, chopped
• 1  tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional)
• 1⁄2 pint  beef stock
• 2  tablespoons tomato puree
• 1⁄2 tablespoon sugar
• 2  potatoes, cubed (optional)
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle  Guinness stout or 1  large  glass red wine
• 1  bouquet garni (sprig of parsley, sprig of thyme, 1 bay leaf tied up in muslin)
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
•  Tabasco sauce

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large pan and fry the meat in it until browned on all sides. Do not crowd the pan; brown the meat in two or three batches if necessary. Remove the meat from the pan, add the onion and carrots and cook until slightly softened.
2. Return the meat to the pan, add the flour, if using, then stir in the stock, tomato puree and sugar. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the potatoes, if using, the Guinness or the wine, the bouquet garni and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cook over a low heat for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. While the stew is simmering, add 4 or 5 drops of Tabasco to taste.