Braised Lamb With Anchovy Sauce (Abbacchio Alla Cacciatora)

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 500*. In a heavy 10- to 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil until a light haze forms over it. Add the lamb, 4 or 5 chunks at a time, and brown it over moderately high heat.

2. 2

   As the chunks become richly colored on all sides, transfer them to a heavy 2 1/2- to 3-quart flameproof casserole. Then pour off all but a thin film of fat from the skillet and set the pan aside.

3. 3

   Season the lamb with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper, and sprinkle it with flour, tossing the meat with a wooden spoon to coat the chunks as evenly as possible with the seasonings and flour.

4. 4

   Place the casserole in the upper third of the oven and brown the lamb uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, turning it 2 or 3 times.

5. 5

   When no trace of gummy flour remains and the chunks of lamb are lightly crusted, remove the casserole from the oven and reduce the oven heat to 350*.

6. 6

   Pour the vinegar into the waiting skillet and boil it briskly over high heat for a minute or two, scraping in any browned bits clinging to the bottom and sides of the pan.

7. 7

   Add the chicken stock to the vinegar, bring to a boil, and pour the liquid over the lamb in the casserole. Cover the casserole and place it in the middle of the oven.

8. 8

   Braise the lamb for about 1 hour, or until it is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. (If the braising sauce seems to be cooking away too fast, add a little more stock, a Tblsp. at a time.).

9. 9

   Just before serving, ladle 1 or 2 Tblsp. of the sauce from the casserole in to a small bowl and mix in the chopped anchovies. Stir the anchovy mixture into the casserole and cook for 2 or 3 minutes more. Serve the lamb directly from the casserole or in a deep, heated platter.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.