Lamb Stew with Root Vegetables

• Recipe by Jim Clendenen

Clendenen's version of this classic French stew, called navarin d'agneau, was inspired by vegetables from an extraordinary organic produce purveyor, the Chef's Garden, in his native Ohio. He pairs the stew with his rich, powerful 2003 Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir, which is full of dark-berry fruit.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2. Salt and freshly ground pepper
3. 4 pounds boneless lamb shoulder or top round, cut into 2-inch cubes
4. 1/2 cup olive oil
5. 2 cups dry red wine
6. 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
7. 4 cups chicken stock
8. 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
9. 1 pound baby carrots, peeled
10. 1 pound baby parsnips, peeled
11. 1 pound small fingerling potatoes
12. 1/2 pound baby turnips, halved
13. 8 baby fennel bulbs, trimmed, fronds reserved and chopped
14. 1 large shallot, minced
15. 2 tablespoons minced parsley

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Put the flour in a large bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Add the lamb cubes in 4 batches, tossing to coat thoroughly.
2. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add one-fourth of the lamb cubes and cook over moderately high heat until browned, about 6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Brown the remaining floured lamb in 3 batches, adding 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot per batch. Reduce the heat if the casserole bottom darkens too much.
3. Return all of the lamb to the casserole. Add the wine and vinegar and bring to a boil. Add the stock and tarragon and return to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the casserole and braise the stew in the oven for about 1 hour, or until the meat is nearly tender.
4. Add the carrots, parsnips, potatoes, turnips, fennel and shallot to the lamb stew. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring to distribute the vegetables. Cover the casserole, return it to the oven and cook until the meat and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour longer. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the parsley and fennel fronds and serve the stew in deep bowls.