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Japanese Lamb Stew

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Japanese Lamb Stew

Japanese Lamb Stew is a comforting dish found on home tables across Japan. Often prepared on cooler days, it embraces the warmth of shared meals. This recipe captures the essence of family cooking, where tradition meets personal touch—salt is judged by hand, and fat is not spared, ensuring a rich and hearty stew that satisfies both heart and stomach.

The stew offers tender lamb cubes, softened onions, and tomatoes in a savory embrace, gently spiced with paprika. Each spoonful delivers a comforting warmth, balanced by the natural sweetness of the onions and the acidity of the tomatoes. It's an invitation to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of a lovingly prepared meal.

Ingredients

  • 800 glamb cubes
  • 2onions
  • 2tomatoes
  • 2 tbspoil
  • 1 tsppaprika
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by seasoning 800 g of lamb cubes with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Sprinkle 1 tsp of paprika over the lamb, using your hands to gently massage the spices into the meat. This will infuse the lamb with flavor and help create a flavorful crust during browning.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned lamb cubes in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Allow the lamb to brown on all sides, turning occasionally, until each piece develops a deep, rich color. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch, depending on the size of your pot. Remove the browned lamb and set it aside.
  3. In the same pot, add 2 onions, sliced thinly, to the remaining oil and lamb drippings. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and start to caramelize, releasing their sweet aroma. This should take about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 chopped tomatoes, allowing them to soften and meld with the onions, creating a thick, fragrant base.
  4. Return the browned lamb cubes to the pot, nestling them into the onion and tomato mixture. Pour in enough water to just cover the lamb, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Allow the stew to braise slowly, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is tender and easily pierced with a fork, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  5. Once the lamb is tender, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. The flavors should be well-balanced, with the paprika adding a subtle warmth. Serve the Japanese Lamb Stew hot, accompanied by steamed rice, crusty bread, or a fresh salad, inviting everyone to share in this comforting, home-cooked meal.
Cover of Authentic Japanese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Japanese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Japanese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Japanese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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