Ballymaloe Irish Stew

1 7/20 kg mutton or lamb chops (gigot or rack chops) not less than 2.5 cm (l inch) thick
5 medium or 12 baby carrots
5 medium or 12 baby onions
8 potatoes or more if like

Garnish:
1 tbsp freshly-chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/ 350 degrees/ regulo 4. Peel the onions and scrape or thinly peel the carrots (if they are young leave some of the green stalk on the onion and carrot). Cut the carrots into large chunks, or if they are young leave them whole. If the onions are large, cut them small; if they are small they are best left whole.

Cut the chops in half and trim off some of the excess fat. Set aside. Render down the fat on a gentle heat in a heavy pan (discard the rendered pieces). Toss the meat in the hot fat in the pan until it is slightly brown.

Transfer the meat into a casserole, then quickly toss the onions and the carrots in the fat.

Build the meat, carrots and the onions up in layers in the casserole, carefully season each layer with freshly-ground pepper and salt.

De-glaze the pan with the mutton stock and pour into the casserole.

Peel the potatoes and lay them on top of the casserole, so they will steam while the stew cooks. Season the potatoes. Add a sprig of thyme, bring to the boil on top of the stove, cover and transfer to a moderate oven or allow to simmer on top of the stove until the stew is cooked, 1 to 1 1/2 hours approx., depending on whether the stew is being made with lamb or mutton.

When the stew is cooked, pour off the cooking liquid, degrease and reheat in another saucepan. Slightly thicken it with a little roux if you like. Check the seasoning, then add chopped parsley and chives and pour it back over the stew. Bring it back up to boiling point and serve from the pot or in a large pottery dish.

Servings: 4-6