Traditional Irish Stew With Pearl Barley

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs lamb chops, cut into 2 . 5cm thick pieces (bone in)
• 2-3 tablespoons plain flour
• 4-5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut in chunks
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons pearl barley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 pints good beef stock or lamb stock
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Start off by trimming and cutting away the excess fat off the meat.

2. 2

   Pat the pieces dry and in a bowl toss them with the flour.

3. 3

   In a heavy-based saucepan, over high heat, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and brown the meat pieces in small batches and then remove and set aside in a bowl.

4. 4

   In the same saucepan, over medium heat add in the rest of the olive oil and add in the chopped onions, garlic and bay leaves and saute till translucent, takes about 10 minutes.

5. 5

   Return the browned meat pieces to the pot and add in the dried thyme and give it all a good stir.

6. 6

   Sprinkle pearl barley on top and pour in all of the stock and season with salt and pepper.

7. 7

   Increase the heat and bring it to a simmering point.

8. 8

   Spoon off any scum that rises to the surface, then cover the pan with a well-fitting lid and leave to simmer over a low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   After the hour is up, spoon off scum if any and then add in the potatoes and carrots and give all a good stir and leave it cook for another hour.

10. 10

    Carefully stir in 2 tbsp of chopped parsley and take it off heat.

11. 11

    Garnish with the remaining 1 tbsp of chopped parsley and serve!