HOW TO BROWN MEAT FOR STEW RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika and dried herbs. Set aside.
• Season the short ribs with 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt. Place a large griddle over medium-high heat and once a drop of water bounces off, sear the meat until browned on all sides. Once browned, remove the meat to the bowl with the paste and toss to coat. Transfer to a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and seal tightly. Place the package into a metal pan and put into a cold oven on the middle rack. Set the oven to 250 degrees F and cook for 4 hours.
• Remove the meat from the oven and carefully poke a hole in the pack while holding it over a heatproof container. Drain the liquid into the container and place it into the refrigerator to cool enough so that the fat separates from the rest of the liquid, approximately 1 hour. After 1 hour, transfer the liquid to the freezer and keep there until the fat cap has solidified, approximately 1 hour. Allow the ribs to sit at room temperature while the liquid is cooling or if serving the next day, place in the refrigerator until ready to finish.
• Retrieve the liquid from the refrigerator and remove the fat cap that has formed on top. Measure out 1 tablespoon of the fat and reserve the rest for another time. Place the fat into a large saucier and place over medium heat. Once the fat has melted add the onion along with the remaining teaspoon of salt and stir to separate the onions into rings. Allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes along with a pinch of black pepper and stir to combine. Next, add the liquid reserved from the meat and stir. Cover tightly and decrease the heat to low so that no heat is escaping the lid. Cook for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
• Meanwhile, cut the meat away from the bone, removing the connective tissue and discarding. Once the potatoes are tender, uncover and set the meat atop the vegetables. Cover and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Serve sprinkled with the parsley.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas 4.
  2. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat and brown the lamb chops, then remove to a plate.
  3. Peel and finely slice the onions and carrots, then add to the pan and soften for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  4. Add a wineglass of water and deglaze the pan for 5 minutes.
  5. Peel and slice the potato, then spread half in a layer in a large casserole dish and season well.
  6. Add a layer of onion and carrot, the lamb chops, thyme and bay leaves, then season again.
  7. Add the remaining onion and carrot and sprinkle the pearl barley on top. Layer over the remaining potato, the deglazed liquid and 500ml of water.
  8. Cover and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the potato starts to crisp up, then serve.