Recipe: Irish Stew

IRISH STEW
3 lbs. lamb
2 T. oil
4 large onions, chopped
8 large potatoes, cubed
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 whole cloves
Flour
Cut lamb into cubes, removing any fat. Heat oil in heavy skillet and add lamb; brown. Add onions, potatoes, water, hot sauce, salt and cloves. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, adding more water if needed to keep liquid at same level. Remove cloves, drain the liquid from skillet, and measure. Pour into a large pan and bring to a boil. Mix 1 T. flour and 1 T. water for each cup of liquid, blending well, then stir into boiling liquid. Cook, stirring until thickened. Pour back into the skillet and heat through.