Guinness and Sheep Casserole

So sorry, Bo Peep. I found your lost sheep. And would ya just look at what I did with them!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 8  ounces  thickly-sliced bacon or 8  ounces thick slab bacon, cut into ½ inch dice
• 2  lbs  mutton chops, cut into 1 inch pieces and bones reserved (may substitute lamb chops)
• 2  tablespoons  Emeril's Original Essence
•  salt, to taste
• 1  tablespoon flour
• 2  cups  diced yellow onions
• 1  cup  diced carrot
• 1  cup  diced leek
• 3  tablespoons  minced garlic
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped parsley
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh thyme
• 2  bay leaves
• 2  cups  Guinness stout
• 1  cup low sodium beef broth
• 1  lb  very small potato, about 1 inch in diameter,or quartered larger potatoes

Directions

1. In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered and just brown.
2. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels.
3. Remove all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan.
4. Season the lamb with the essence and salt, and sprinkle with the flour.
5. Add the meat and bones to the pan and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
6. Remove the meat and bones from the pan.
7. Add the onions, carrots and leeks to the pan and sauté over medium-high heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
8. Add the garlic, parsley, thyme and bay leaves, and cook for 30 seconds.
9. Add the Guinness, beef stock and potatoes, and return the meat and bones to the pot.
10. Stir well and bring to a boil.
11. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the lamb and vegetables are tender, about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally and skimming any fat that forms on the surface.
12. Remove from the heat, adjust seasoning, to taste, and discard the lamb bones.
13. Serve hot.