Scotch Broth

Scotch Broth is a luscious and hearty soup that combines lamb, vegetables, and barley to create a satisfying meal. Traditionally a Scottish dish, this recipe has been adapted to fit a lighter way of eating by skimming the fat. With the addition of a side of bread, this soup becomes a complete and nourishing meal. The combination of flavors and textures in Scotch Broth makes it an ideal choice for satisfying a hungry body.

This recipe requires 2¼ hours of preparation time and 1¼ hours of cooking time. With its rich and comforting flavors, Scotch Broth yields four servings, making it suitable for family meals or smaller gatherings. The soup begins with browning a lamb shank, followed by simmering it in water and reduced-sodium beef broth with cloves, onion, carrot, celery, and various seasonings. The resulting broth is then strained and skimmed to remove any excess fat. Pearl barley is added to the broth and simmered until tender, and then turnips, carrots, leek, and the reserved lamb are added and cooked until the vegetables are tender.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lamb shank (about 1 pound)
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 4 cups water
• 2 cans (14½ ounces each) reduced-sodium beef broth
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 medium onion, halved
• 1 medium carrot, halved
• 1 celery rib, halved
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
• ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon whole peppercorns
• ⅓ cup medium pearl barley
• 1½ cups julienned peeled turnips (1-inch pieces)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
• 1 medium leek (white portion only), thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

PREPARATION:

1. In a Dutch oven, brown the lamb shank in canola oil on all sides. Drain any excess oil.
2. Stir in water and reduced-sodium beef broth. Insert the cloves into the onion and add it, along with the halved carrot, halved celery rib, bay leaf, minced fresh parsley, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and whole peppercorns, to the Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat, cover the Dutch oven, and simmer for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender.
4. Remove the shank from the broth and let it cool slightly. Remove the meat from the bone and cut it into small pieces. Discard the bone. Strain the broth, discarding the cooked vegetables and seasonings.
5. Skim the fat from the broth. In a large saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Stir in the pearl barley, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
6. Add the julienned turnips, coarsely chopped carrots, thinly sliced leek, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Return the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
7. Add the reserved lamb to the saucepan and heat the soup through.

YIELD: 4 servings

PREP TIME: 2¼ hours

COOK TIME: 1¼ hours

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Ensure that the lamb shank is browned on all sides for added flavor.
• Discard the cooked vegetables and seasonings after straining the broth.
• Skim the fat from the broth to reduce its overall richness.

TIPS:

• Serve Scotch Broth with a side of bread for a complete meal.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding additional vegetables, such as potatoes or parsnips, according to your preference.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more salt and pepper if desired.

Scotch Broth is a delicious and satisfying soup that combines lamb, vegetables, and barley to create a comforting meal. This traditional Scottish dish has been adapted to fit a lighter way of eating by skimming the fat. With its hearty flavors and textures, Scotch Broth is an ideal choice for satisfying a hungry body.

Preparing Scotch Broth requires a total of 2¼ hours, including 1¼ hours of cooking time. The recipe yields four servings, making it suitable for family meals or smaller gatherings. The lamb shank is browned before simmering it in water and reduced-sodium beef broth along with cloves, onion, carrot, celery, and various seasonings. The resulting broth is strained and skimmed to remove any excess fat. Pearl barley is then added and simmered until tender, followed by the addition of turnips, carrots, leek, and the reserved lamb, which are cooked until the vegetables reach the desired tenderness.

Serve Scotch Broth with a side of bread to complete the meal and add extra satisfaction. Feel free to customize the recipe by incorporating additional vegetables, such as potatoes or parsnips, according to your preferences. Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more salt and pepper if desired.

In conclusion, Scotch Broth is a luscious and flavorful soup that offers a delightful combination of lamb, vegetables, and barley. Its rich and comforting qualities make it a perfect choice for a satisfying meal. Prepare a pot of this hearty soup, and enjoy the nourishment it provides.