Old-Fashioned Irish Stew

This recipe comes from an August 1986 issue of Bon Appetit that featured an article titled "An Irish Ramble" that included recipes from Houses and Hotels in Ireland. Americans usually use lamb shoulder for Irish stew, but in Ireland neck slices are the thing. And here's some advice every good Irish cook heeds; "A stew boiled is a stew spoiled," meaning, keep the kettle at a simmer.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3  lbs lamb necks, slices fat trimmed and reserved (1-inch thick)
• 4  medium onions, thinly sliced
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1  lb  medium carrot, peeled, halved crosswise and quartered lengthwise
• 1  lb  medium boiling potato, peeled, one sliced thinly, remainder quartered
• 3  cups  lamb stock or beef broth
• 4  tablespoons  minced fresh parsley
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Mince lamb fat; cook in heavy Dutch oven over high heat until fat renders, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
2. Strain drippings and return to Dutch oven; heat over medium high heat.
3. Pat lamb dry with paper towels, add in batches (do not crowd) and cook until brown, about 5 minutes per side.
4. Transfer to large bowl using slotted spoon.
5. Add sliced and chopped onions,carrots and sliced potato to pan and cook until light brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
6. Return lamb to pan, spooning vegetables on top; add stock.
7. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently 1 hour.
8. Add quartered potatoes, pushing into liquid.
9. Cover and simmer until potatoes and lamb are tender when pierced with fork, about 35 minutes.
10. Drain liquid from pan into large heavy skillet; degrease cooking liquid.
11. Boil until reduced by half, about 15 minutes; return to stew.
12. Mix in 2 tablespoons parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.
13. Ladle stew onto heated platter, sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve.