

Irish Stew
==========

Meine Schwiegereltern haben mir von ihrem Irlandurlaub ein "Little 
Irish Cookbook" mitgebracht, in dem sich auch ein Rezept fuer Stew 
findet. Ich hoffe, dass es nicht weiter tragisch ist, dass es in 
englisch ist. 

"Irish Stew is easy to make and if made with mutton and cooked slowly 
will be both favoursome and tender. Mutton, beeing an older meat, has 
more flavour than lamb but does need to be cooked for a couple of 
hours over a low heat with liquid. It should not be allowed to boil or 
the flavour will be spoiled. There is little agreement as to the 
classic recipe - should there be carrots? Should the meat be browned? 
Should mutton, lamb, beef, bacon or even kid be used? The following 
dish will be found to be hearty and nourishing and traditional enough. 

2 1/2 lb / 1 kg boned mutton
4 large potatoes
2 large onions
3 or 4 medium carrots
sprig of parsley
1 pt / 500 ml / 2 cups water
salt and pepper

(serves four)

Cut the meat into good sized chunks. Peel the vegetables and slice 
thickly. Chop the parsley. Choose a pot with a well-fitting lid and 
put in the ingredients in layers, starting and finishing with 
potatoes. Pour in the water and season to taste. Cover and put on a 
very low heat for about 2 1/2 hours until the meat is tender and the 
potatoes have thickened the liquid. The dish may also be made with 
lamb, in which case it requires only 1 1/2 hours cooking time."

