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1
In a heavy 3-4 quart casserole, with a tightly fitting lid, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over a medium heat.
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2
Add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes or until the slices are browned.
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3
You will need to stir them often.
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4
Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pan and onto a plate.
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5
Set aside.
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6
Working in batches, brown the lamb cubes in the remaining fat in the dish.
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7
As they brown, take them out of the dish and put them on the plate with the onions.
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8
Pour the 3 cups of water into the casserole and bring it to a boil, scraping to loosen any brown particles clinging to the dish.
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9
Return the lamb and onion to the dish, add the salt and reduce the heat to low.
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10
Cover tightly and simmer for about an hour or untilt he lamb is tender and doesn't show any resistance when pierced.
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11
Transfer the onions, lamb and all the cooking liquid to a large bowl.
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12
Set the casserole aside.
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13
Preheat the oven to 350u00b0F Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a 5-6 quart saucepan.
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14
Pour in the rice in a slow, thin stream so the water does not stop boiling.
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15
Stir a couple times and boil for 5 minutes.
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16
Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the dill and lima beans and drain in a fine sieve.
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17
Ladle about half of the rice mixture into the smaller casserole and moisten it with 1/2 cup of the lamb cooking liquid.
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18
Then use a spatula or spoon to spread the rice mixture to the edges of the pan.
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19
Use a slotted spoon to return the lamb and onions to the casserole and smooth them over the rice.
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20
Spread the remaining rice mixture on top.
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21
Combine 2 tablespoons of the melted butter with 6 tablespoons of the lamb broth and pour it over the rice.
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22
Bring the casserole to a boil over high heat.
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23
Cover tightly and bake on a middle oven shelf for 30-40 minutes or until the beans are tender and rice has absorbed the liquid.
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24
To serve, spoon about a cup of the rice mixture into a small bowl.
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25
Add the dissolved saffron and stir until the rice is bright yellow.
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26
Spread about half the remaining rice on a heated platter and arrange the lamb over it.
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27
Cover the lamb with the rest of the plain rice and garnish with the saffron rice.
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28
Pour the remaining 6 tablespoons butter over the top.