Finnish Three Meat Ragout
Ingredients
FINNISH THREE MEAT RAGOUT
KARJALAN PAISTI
This is one of my favorite meat dishes because it is so tasty and so simple to make. Choose lean but rather tough should or leg cuts for their well developed flavor. Layered in an enameled cast iron pot and covered tightly, the meat and onions stew to tender succulence in about 5 hours, and are then spooned over mashed potatoes or a combination of mashed potatoes and rutabagas. this recipe makes a large amount, but you can freeze what is left over.
1 pound lean lamb, shoulder or leg
1 pound lean pork, shoulder or leg
1 pound lean beef round
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1/2 teaspoon whole white peppercorns
6 large white onions, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
chopped fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 300 F.. Cut the meat into 1 inch cubes. In an enameled, cast iron pot or other deep ovenproof casserole, layer the meat, salt, allspice, white peppercorns, and onion. Cover tightly. Bake for 5 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or mashed potatoes and rutabagas. 12 servings.
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MASHED POTATO AND RUTABAGA CASSEROLE:
Peruna ja lanttulaatikko
I like the creamy color of mashed rutabagas together with potatoes in the casserole. it can be assembled a day in advance, if desired.
2 pounds thin skinned boiled potatoes
Salt
1 pound (about 1 medium) rutabaga
1/4 cup flour
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 to 1 cup hot milk or light cream
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
Instructions
Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Add 1 teaspoon salt for each quart of water. Heat to boiling and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain, peel, and mash the cooked potatoes.
Meanwhile, pare the rutabaga and cut it into 1 inch pieces. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, mash, and add the cooked rutabaga to the potatoes. Beat with an electric mixer until the potatoes and rutabagas are smooth and fluffy. Beat in the flour, eggs, salt, and milk (or cream).
Preheat oven to 350 F.. Butter a 3 quart shallow baking dish. Turn the mixture into the dish. using a spoon, spread out the mixture, making indentations in the top of the casserole. Dot with the butter and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until lightly browned. 12 servings
