LAMB AND RED PEPPER RAGOUT - Serves 6
2 Syns per serving, if using olive oil/Syn Free, if just using Frylight (works better with the oil)
8 fresh plum tomatoes
1kg lean, diced lamb - leg or shoulder are good for this
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. thyme leaves, finely chopped
2 tsp. rosemary leaves, finely chopped
2 red peppers, deseeded and chopped
725ml chicken stock
2 tbsp. olive oil - 12 Syns
Put a large pan of water on to boil. Add the tomatoes for 10 seconds, then lift out and put immediately into a bowl of iced water. Leave to cool a little, then remove from the bowl and peel off the skins. Chop the flesh and discard the seeds. Set aside. (It really is worth the small amount of effort to use fresh tomatoes for this recipe).
Season the diced lamb with a pinch of salt.
Put a pan over a medium heat and add a tbsp. of oil (or spray well with Frylight).
Once hot, fry the lamb until browned all over - best done in batches. Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside.
Add more olive oil to the pan (or re-spray) and fry the garlic and onion, with a pinch of salt, until soft.
Once soft, add the herbs, paprika and some black pepper and fry for 3-5 minutes.
Pour in 100ml of stock and bring to the boil. Once boiling, stir in the chopped tomatoes and lamb, along with any juices. Season with pepper and pour in the rest of the stock.
Bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat and leave to simmer gently for approximately 1 hour or until tender.
Ten minutes before the ragout is ready, cook about 500g dried pasta, for about 9 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick together.
Drain the pasta, then add to the ragout. Stir gently together.
Serve on warmed plates immediately, with lots of veg.
This recipe is a take on one by the chef, Geoffrey Smeddle and is delicious!