Curried Lamb and Sweet Potato Stew

Ingredients

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 8 3/4 cups)
• 4 teaspoons dark sesame oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• Cooking spray
• 1 pound boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Combine sweet potato, 2 teaspoons oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray; toss to coat. Spread into a single layer. Bake at 450° for 40 minutes or until tender and edges begin to blacken.
3. Sprinkle lamb with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and curry powder; toss well to coat evenly. Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of lamb; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove lamb from pan; keep warm. Repeat procedure with 1/2 teaspoon oil and remaining half of lamb. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to pan. Add onion, garlic, and 1/2 cup broth; cook 4 minutes or until onion is tender, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
4. Place half of roasted sweet potatoes and remaining broth in a food processor or blender; process until smooth. Add pureed mixture to onion mixture in pan. Stir in remaining half of roasted sweet potatoes, lamb, half-and-half, and ground red pepper, and cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.