Provencal Lamb Stew With White Beans & Rosemary

The flavours and aromas of southern France are captured in this wonderful stew. It's a favourite and tastes even better if made a day ahead of serving. Accompany with mounds of mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and a simple steamed green vegetable. You can substitute cubes of lean pork or chunks of chicken for the lamb.

Ingredients

2 tbsp (30ml) Olive oil
1 1/2 lbs (750g) lean lamb, cubed
1 tbsp (15 ml) flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup (250 ml) dry white wine
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
1 can (28 oz/796 ml) plum tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh rosemary chopped or 1 tsp (5 ml) dried rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 can (19oz/540 ml) white beans, rinsed and drained
Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Heat oil in a large, heavy frying pan. Add lamb cubes in small batches and brown well on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned lamb to a flameproof casserole. Sprinkle with flour, season lightly, and toss over high heat for a couple of minutes.

Meanwhile, add onions, garlic, carrot and celery to the frying pan (you may need to add a dash more oil) and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add wine and bring to a boil, scraping up all the good bits on the bottom.

Transfer vegetable mixture to the casserole and combine with the lamb. Add stock, tomatoes and herbs.

Bring gently to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer until lamb is tender, about an hour, adding beans midway through the cooking time. Serve hot, sprinkled with parsley.

Servings: Min: 3     Max: 4

Robert Lamont is the Director of Catering and Retail Operations at All The Best Fine Foods. Robert works closely with Jane Rodmell, the company's President, Executive Chef David Cousins and Mario Totaro, the Pastry Chef to bring All The Best clients the most exciting take out gourmet cuisine in Toronto. All The Best Fine Foods has been a leading gourmet food retailer in Toronto since it's inception over two decades ago. Using the freshest ingredients available and no fake flavourings All The Best is the destination for all your food and entertaining needs.