Irish Stew

Directions

1. 1
   Pat lamb dry and season well with salt and pepper.
2. 2
   Put oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat.
3. 3
   Brown meat on all sides, working in batches.
4. 4
   Set meat aside and add onions and carrots to pot.
5. 5
   Season with salt and pepper.
6. 6
   Cook vegetables, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
7. 7
   Heat oven to 350 degrees.
8. 8
   Return meat to pot, add broth and bring to a simmer.
9. 9
   Put in thyme sprig and arrange potatoes on top (its fine if potatoes are not completely submerged).
10. 10
    Season potatoes, cover pot and transfer to oven.
11. 11
    Bake for about 1 hour, until lamb is quite tender when probed with a skewer or paring knife.
12. 12
    Remove fat from top of broth.
13. 13
    Ladle stew into shallow bowls and serve.