HARICOTS D'AGNEAU (BRAISED LAMB WITH BEANS)

Haricots d'Agneau (Braised lamb with beans) image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Time 2h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound dried lima beans or any small white beans
7 cups water
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 medium-size onion stuck with 2 cloves
4 large carrots, trimmed and scraped
Salt to taste
3 pounds lean shoulder of lamb, cut into 2-inch cubes, including the bones
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup water
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf

Steps:

To prepare the beans, soak them overnight in cold water.
Drain the beans, transfer to a saucepan and add the 7 cups of water, the thyme, bay leaf, onion with cloves, carrots and salt to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes or more until the beans are tender, skimming the surface as they cook.
To prepare the lamb, sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Heat a nonstick skillet large enough to hold the meat in one layer. Do not add fat. Add the cubed meat and cook, stirring, until well browned on all sides for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Transfer the meat to a heavy cast-iron skillet. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the wine, water, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste. Stir well, cover and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until done.
When the lamb is cooked, drain the beans, reserving one cup of liquid. Remove the bay leaf, the onion with cloves and carrots. Remove the cloves from the onion. Cut the onion and carrots into half-inch cubes. Add the beans, carrots and onion to the lamb. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. If desired, transfer to an ovenproof serving dish and place under the broiler until lightly browned on top.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 723, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 49 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 44 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 1513 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams