Sous Vide Lamb Stew

This time of year, I almost always want comfort food at the end of the day. And as much as I’d like to eat mac and cheese or chicken pot pie every night, I also don't want to gain 40 pounds over the winter. Thanks to the Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker, this recipe accomplishes both goals — delivering tender lean lamb in a rich, warming gravy with perfectly seasoned tender vegetables.

Author

Jeff Akin

Founder of Feed Me Creative, a culinary content studio in Kansas City, MO. For more information, visit www.feedmecreative.com or find us on Instagram @feedmecreative.

Prep Time: 00:45

Recipe Time: 24:00

Temperature : 145F / 62.8C

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into ½ strips
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 quart beef stock
• 4 large shallots, quartered
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 stalks of celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 1 pound small fingerling potatoes (or small red), cut in half lengthwise
• 4 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms (optional)
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 dried whole bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Set Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker to 145°F (62.7°C).
2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Render bacon until golden brown and set aside.
3. Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper and sear in bacon fat until golden brown on all sides. (You will probably have to work in several batches.)
4. Set lamb aside and deglaze pan with wine and stock. Add wine-stock mixture, bacon, lamb, any accumulated searing juices, vegetables, and herbs to a large Ziplock or vacuum bag. Seal the bag and cook for 24 hours.

Finishing Steps — Stovetop

1. Pour the contents of the bag into a large saucepan, removing the pieces of lamb to a plate. (This ensures the meat doesn't get overcooked or tough while the sauce and vegetables simmer.) Simmer over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and the sauce reduced by half, about 15 minutes.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat, return the lamb to the pan to warm in the sauce, and serve.