Author Notes
I developed this independently, and some time later discovered that it is almost exactly the classic provencal lamb stew. The idea for coffee came from the classic southern "red eye gravy", and later still I learned that using coffee as a flavor deepener is a typical French technique. This all is even more surprising since I do not usually cook in the French tradition. —peter_
Ingredients
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3-4 lbs
lamb, 1-2 inch cube
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1
large onion, coarsely chopped
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1-2 cups
minced garlic
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2 lbs
turnips, coarsely chopped
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2 lbs
red potatoes, coarsely chopped
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1 lb
carrots, peeled, cut into coins
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1 cup
red wine, good quality, not "cooking wine"
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1-2 cups
black coffee, can be decaf, not flavored
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1/2 cup
rosemary leaves, chopped
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2
chile jalapeno or serrano
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salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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PROVENCAL LAMB STEW
In a large Dutch oven or stew pot, heat a little oil. Sautee chiles in the oil. Pull the chiles out. Sear the cubed lamb until it develops a nice crust on all the pieces (this is the secret of any good meat stew). You will have to do this in batches so that the pieces do not touch during searing; otherwise they will just steam instead.
Fry the onion until it is translucent. Then add the meat back in. Cover with boiling water. Add the garlic, carrots, turnips and potatoes. Add the wine and coffee. Bring back to a boil. Add the herbs and a little salt and pepper to taste.
Lower to a simmer and leave simmering for 2 + hours. After turning the stew off, let it cool and refrigerate overnight to blend. The next day skim off any fat or grease from the surface, reheat and serve. Adjust salt and pepper as necessary at any time during reheating.
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