Stand-back-and-throw: attack of the clones

OK, someone needs to sack the food stylist.

All these stand-back-and-throw meals look the same. One monochromatic dish after another. Is it my cooking? Or are there only just so many visual variations on the humble casserole? I promise you, though, that this one is different. It has a sweet little twist.

This is my Lamb with sweet potato, maple and orange.

Sounds a little odd, but trust me, its the beautiful oozy maple syrup that is the key. I am a maple syrup convert after living in Montreal for a couple of years. I love it in all things sweet. And I could almost extend to eating it on bacon. Mmmm, I also once had it in a green curry. Strangely wrong ... but oh so right.

But back to the lamb.

For this casserole, I tossed some diced lamb in a little flour and then threw it into a casserole dish. I then confiscated two sweet potatoes from Argy and Bargy, who were apparently recreating a scene from Star Wars. They stood transfixed as I showed them how I could peel and dice two lightsabers.

After throwing in the sweet potato, I searched through the fridge and the pantry. The carrots were black and the tin of butter beans I wanted to use, had a massive dent in the side. I decided against introducing botulism as the surprise ingredient and moved on to the liquids.

The sauce comprised a large slurp of orange juice, a big glug of maple syrup and plenty of chicken stock. After that I slow cooked the lot (but you could do it in the oven or even on the stove top).

Try serving this little number up to your loved ones ... and may the force be with you.