Stout-Braised Lamb

Stout-Braised Lamb
Photo: Yuki Sugiura
Prep Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time:
5 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
8

This stout-braised lamb is most delicious made at least one day and up to three days ahead. If making the same day, skim excess fat from surface of braising liquid with a spoon.

Ingredients

  • One 5-pound butterflied boneless lamb shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut in half

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 large onion, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (3 tablespoons)

  • 2 sprigs rosemary

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 bottle (11.2 ounces) stout beer, such as Guinness

  • 1 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • Store-bought tomato jam or fruit chutney, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle evenly with flour. Heat oil in a braiser pan or large deep-sided skillet over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, sear lamb, fat-side down first, until browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes a batch. Transfer to a platter.

  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic, rosemary, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. Add Worcestershire, stout, and broth. Bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Return lamb, fat-side up, and any accumulated juices to pan and return to a boil.

  4. Cover pan and transfer to oven. Cook, spooning juices over lamb every 30 minutes, until meat is fork-tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from oven; uncover and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 day and up to 3 days.

  5. Remove solidified fat from top. Place pan over medium-low and gently simmer, covered, until lamb is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Remove rosemary. Using 2 forks, shred meat into large pieces. Transfer to a tureen or other serving vessel. Pour braising liquid over lamb. Serve with jam or chutney.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, March 2015
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