Lamb Stew With White Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 lbs lamb shoulder, excess fat and sinew removed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups orange juice
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 piece ginger, 4 inches long peeled and grated
1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups beef stock
1 1/2 cups dried navy beans, rinsed and soaked overnight or 3 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
8 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
3 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches each)
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 star anise
2 teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups canned chopped tomatoes, drained and cut into small pieces
fresh flat leaf parsley, to garnish

Preparation

Toss the lamb with the orange juice, garlic, ginger, and mint in a large bowl. Let marinate, covered, in the fridge for 4 hours.
Dump the lamb into a colander set over a bowl to catch the marinade. Reserve the liquid. Dry the lamb very well with paper towels; if you don't, the pieces will steam, not sear. Generously season the lamb with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until very hot. Working in 3 or 4 batches, sear the lamb pieces, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl. Return all the lamb to the pot, sprinkle with the flour, and stir to combine. Pour in the reserved marinade and the stock. Add the drained soaked beans (if using canned beans, add them in the next step), the carrots, bay leaves, cinnamon, oregano, star anise, coriander seeds, cumin, lemon zest, and lemon juice, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 11/4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Spoon in the tomatoes and the canned beans, if using. Continue simmering, uncovered if the stew is thin, until the lamb is tender and the beans are soft but still hold their shape, 15 to 20 minutes more. Toss out the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Take a taste and season the stew with salt and pepper, if needed.
To serve, ladle into bowls and speckle with parsley.