Winter food: Irish Stew with a TCM twist.

Nutrient Dense Irish Stew with a TCM twist!

The simplicity of an Irish Stew shouldn't be underestimated. There's some wonderful nourishing aspects to this classic, and I've come up with a way to add a TCM aromatic spices twist. To add warmth and a gentle pungency to the Irish Stew without using chilli (which can sometimes be too harsh), you could incorporate some warming spices that align well with TCM principles and also complement the earthy lamb and vegetables.

Irish Stew Ingredients:

800g grass-fed lamb shoulder or stewing lamb, cut into chunks

2 tbsp olive oil or ghee

Vegetables:

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

2 parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks

2 celery stalks, sliced

4-6 baby potatoes or sweet potatoes, quartered

1.5L high-quality bone broth (lamb, beef, or chicken)

Culinary Herbs:

1 small bunch of fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

1 small bunch of fresh parsley (for garnish)

Spice combo for this recipe:

• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or ½ tsp dried)

• ½ tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1-2 bay leaves

• ½ tsp ground allspice (or 3-4 whole allspice berries)

• 1 small cinnamon stick

• 1-2 whole cloves

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil or ghee in a large, heavy-based pot over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the lamb pieces in batches until they’re golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes).
4. Return the lamb to the pot, and add the carrots, parsnips, celery, and potatoes. Add the spices. Let them infuse gently as the stew simmers.
5. Pour in the bone broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add the thyme and season with sea salt and black pepper.
7. Cover and simmer on low for 2-3 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the vegetables are soft.
8. (Optional) Stir in the cabbage or kale during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
9. Remove the thyme stems. Adjust seasoning and remove any whole spices (like bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves) before serving. Then sprinkle with fresh parsley to serve.

Why it’s great:
✅ Uses bone broth to enhance minerals and gut health
✅ Loaded with vegetables for vitamins and fibre
✅ Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb adaptable
✅ Packed with warming, nourishing energy perfect for winter

For further reading about how to strengthen your Spleen and Kidney with TCM Dietary therapy, click here:

TCM Dietary Therapy tips for Summer

Spleen Friendly food