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Food & Wine Recipe

Provençal Lamb Stew with Basil

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  • ACTIVE: 40 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 15 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • •MAKE-AHEAD

  1. 1 1/2 pounds trimmed boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces
  2. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  3. 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  4. 2 large shallots, finely chopped
  5. 3 anchovy fillets, chopped
  6. 1 tablespoon minced rosemary
  7. 5 garlic cloves, minced
  8. 1 pound baby red potatoes, halved
  9. 1 cup dry rosé
  10. 1/2 cup pitted green olives
  11. 3 tablespoons chopped basil
  1. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil. Add the lamb and cook over moderately high heat until browned, 12 minutes; using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.
  2. Add the shallots, anchovies, rosemary and most of the garlic to the Dutch oven and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the shallots are softened, 5 minutes. Stir in the potatoes and cook just until browned in spots, 2 minutes. Add the rosé and cook until nearly evaporated, scraping up any browned bits, 5 minutes. Add the lamb and any accumulated juices, the olives and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat until the lamb is tender and the potatoes are cooked through, 50 minutes.
  3. In a bowl, mash the remaining minced garlic to a paste. Stir in the chopped basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir the mixture into the stew and serve.

Suggested Pairing

Lively, medium-bodied red.