Winter Lamb Stew

Sometimes, all it takes is one person. 

A very, very small percentage of people who exist in our world have the ability and circumstances to make an impact on more than a handful of people. Jesus, Gandhi, various leaders of nations throughout history. What can we do, the minuscule in this massive population? We can lament this, cry out how pointless even trying is, but that is just our own skewed perspectives. ONE person can make a difference in someone’s life, merely by being present, by listening non-judgmentally and offering emotional support.

Something happened to me many years ago, nothing drastic or life altering, but something wrong. At the time I dismissed it- the guy was just a jerk. However, as time passed I realized, I felt, just how wrong it had been. How many women had he done this to? Lied about, then belittled and taunted to everyone in their circle when they turned him down? Years later, it mattered!

Someone listened. Though it had been years ago, though we do not communicate regularly, nor are even that close, she had been there, and she listened. She didn't say whether she believed what I was saying, she didn't postulate on the atrocities of men, she merely listened, and allowed me to express my anger and grieve my inaction.

She was there for me in that moment. She was present.

And over a year after that moment, when I felt that regret rise up, our conversation will still occasionally come to mind. Not because of the man or the circumstances so much, but for the kindness. 

How many times each day do we ask, ‘How are you?’ Truly, we are not asking a question so much as making what has become a standardized greeting for our culture. How about we bring the meaning back? How about we care if someone is having a bad moment?  We can’t help everyone, but we can be there for someone. We can matter in that moment for them.

Along that line, hugs are wonderful things, connecting us by sharing personal space and baring our vulnerabilities. This stew feels like a hug- warm and comforting. (How's that for a segue?) 

Winter Lamb Stew

Ingredients:

1 lb. lamb stew meat, cubed

1 Tb. milk

3 Tb. all-purpose flour, divided

2 Tb. oil, butter, or bacon fat

2 cups beef or venison broth/stock

1 cup. Dry red wine

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tb. chopped fresh thyme (or less dry)

¼ tp. Salt

¼ tp. Black Pepper

1 bay leaf

2 cups peeled, seeded, and sliced butternut squash

1 cup peeled, sliced parsnips

1 cup peeled, chopped sweet potatoes

1 cup sliced celery

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

½ cup Greek yogurt

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Combine the salt and pepper with 2 tablespoons of flour. Dampen the cubed meat with the milk, then dredge the meat in it. When the pan has heated, brown the meat on each side, making sure that there is room between each cube (this may require doing it in two batches). Set browned meat aside.

Drain fat, then add the broth and wine. Deglaze the bottom of the pan (this just means letting the liquid loosen up the crunchies at the bottom of the pan, along with gentle scraping). Season with garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Put the meat back in and bring mixture to a boil.

Mix in squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, celery, and onion. Bring it to boil again, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or till vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl combine the yogurt and the remaining flour. Gradually stir in ½ cup of the stew liquid, blend till smooth. Stir this into the pot.

Remove bay leaf and cook until thickened.

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lamb-and-winter-vegetable-stew/