“A new day is dawning, and another year has flown by. I wish you the best and a year filled with joy and happiness. I hope you do not lose sight of the world’s beauty and do not get discouraged by the hurdles that might stand on your path.” unknown

Do not let the freezing temperatures and early dark nights discourage you from enjoying your food and you favourite activity – cooking!  To help you through the cold months, here is a hearty recipe which you can cook using your dutch oven or casserole - courtesy of Mary Berry.  

Mary Berry’s Irish Stew

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

- 2 tbsp plain flour

- 1kg /2lb 30z neck fillet of lamb, diced into 2cm ((¾in) cubes

- 2-3 tbsp oil

- 2 onions, sliced

- 2 celery sticks, sliced

- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

- 2 bay leaves

- 1 tbsp chopped thyme leaves

- 600ml/ 1 pint chicken or lamb stock

- 750g /1¾lb floury potatoes (such as Maris Piper), peeled and cut into slices about 1cm (½in) thick

- salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cook time: 2-2½ hours, plus resting

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4.

2. Season the flour with salt and pepper and then toss the lamb in the flour. Heat some of the oil in a wide-based flameproof and ovenproof casserole dish with a lid, then fry the lamb on all sides over a high heat for 4–6 minutes until golden. Fry the lamb in batches, adding more oil as needed and removing each batch with a slotted spoon to set aside while you cook the rest.

3. Add a little more oil to the pan, then tip in the onions, celery and carrots and fry over a medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and thyme and scatter the browned lamb over the top. Pour over the stock and bring to the boil.

4. Reduce the heat and arrange the potatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper as you layer the potato slices, gently pressing down so the liquid rises to cover them.

5. Cover with the lid and carefully transfer to the oven to cook for 1½–2 hours or until the lamb and potatoes are both tender. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6, remove the lid and cook for a further 8–10 minutes or until the potatoes are golden.

6. Allow to stand for 5 minutes and remove the bay leaves before serving with a leafy green vegetable, such as chard or cabbage.

Mary's Classic Tips:

* Ask your butcher to give you the bones from the filleted neck – perfect for making stock. Roast the bones for a fuller flavour, then cover with water and simmer with herbs and chopped vegetables for an hour. Freeze to use when you next make stew.

 * Check the stew after 1½ hours – you don’t want it to dry out, particularly as it will be cooked for another 8–10 minutes.

Enjoy!