Lamb with white beans and garlic

1.Coarsely chop 1 onion, combine in a large saucepan with carrot, herbs and spices, bring to the boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium, add beans and simmer for 45 minutes. Add sausage, simmer until beans are tender (15-20 minutes), remove sausage from pan, thickly slice, set aside. Remove onion, carrot, herbs and spices (discard), season bean mixture to taste, cover closely, set aside.

2. Meanwhile, finely chop 2 garlic cloves, combine in a large bowl with lamb and oil, season to taste and stand for 30 minutes to marinate. Heat a large casserole over high heat, add lamb in batches, turn occasionally until well-browned (4-5 minutes), remove from pan. Thinly slice remaining onion, add to pan, stir occasionally until golden (10-12 minutes). Deglaze with wine, add tomato, stock, mushrooms and orange rind. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low-medium, cover with a tight lid and simmer until very tender (1½-2 hours).

3.Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 5½-litre casserole with bacon, overlapping slices. Spoon one-third of bean mixture over bacon with a slotted spoon, then spoon over half the lamb mixture. Add half the sausage and half the remaining garlic, press into lamb mixture, then repeat layering, finishing with beans. Add enough bean liquid to slightly moisten, then bake until surface forms a crust (1-1¼ hours). Serve hot, scattered with parsley and thyme, with pickled walnuts and crusty bread.