Peruvian Lamb Stew with Rice
Ingredients
Rice and Beans:
- 2 cups Carolina® White Rice
- 4 1/2 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth, divided
- 2 Tbsp achiote paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 can (19 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
Lamb Stew:
- 3 lb lamb shoulder chops
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 aji chili peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 bottle (12 oz) beer
- 2 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth
- 3 large potatoes, cut into large chunks
- 4 carrots, cut into large chunks
Red Onion Salad:
- 2 red onions, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Make any meal a reason to celebrate with this South American Lamb Stew using spicy aji chili peppers and a comforting blend of Carolina® White Rice and beans, all topped with a refreshing red onion salad.
Lamb Stew
Step 1
Toss together lamb, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, in a blender, purée cilantro and 1/4 cup water until smooth; set aside.
Step 3
Strain lamb, reserving marinade. In a large bowl, toss lamb with flour, shaking off excess. Heat oil in Dutch oven or large saucepan set over high heat. Cook lamb, in two batches, for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until starting to brown all over. Transfer to a plate.
Step 4
In the same skillet, cook onion and aji peppers over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and fragrant. Stir in beer and chicken broth; bring to boil. Return lamb to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in cilantro purée. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Stir in potatoes and carrots; cover and cook for 40 to 45 minutes or until lamb and vegetables are very tender and sauce is thickened.
Rice and Beans
Step 5
Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup chicken broth with achiote paste until smooth. In a large saucepan, combine remaining chicken broth, achiote mixture, garlic, salt and pepper; bring to boil. Stir in rice and beans. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes; fluff with a fork before serving.
Red Onion Salad
Step 6
Toss together red onions, yellow pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, oil, vinegar and salt. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes or until onions are lightly pickled.
Step 7
Serve stew with rice and beans, and onion salad.
Peruvian Hot Peppers
Aji chili peppers are also known as Peruvian hot peppers. They have a fruity flavor and range in heat. If unavailable, substitute aji amarillo paste or your favorite fresh chili pepper. Scotch bonnet, habanero or serrano are all good substitutes.
Traditional Stew
This delicious lamb stew is based on the South American dish, seco de cordero. As it is a stew, it can be prepared with a variety of meat and vegetables, but this version uses lamb and a mixture of spices, herbs and vegetables that will fill your kitchen with delightful aromas.
Starting with a base of onion and spicy chili peppers, the marinated lamb is braised in beer and broth, mixed with a blend of cilantro, and roasted with potatoes and carrots until tender.
That combination is served over a spicy blend of white rice and beans cooked in achiote paste and topped with a red onion salad to balance out all of the flavors.
As this dish originated in Peru and Ecuador, it’s perfect to add to the list of traditional rice dishes of Latin America. Next, try an arroz con leche, or rice pudding in Spanish.
