Ultimate Comfort: Sear Lamb in Hearty Italian Ragu for Family Feasts

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) lamb shoulder or leg, boneless, cut into 1-2 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 can (28 oz or 794 g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)