Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Braised Lamb Shanks

I'm always looking for a good recipe for Lamb Shanks. I have at least one, that suffices, but this one looks good. Think I'll try it. Enjoy these lamb shanks!

Braised Lamb Shanks

Long, slow, braised Lamb Shanks are perfect comfort food, so welcome on a chilly autumn or cold winters day. There are many recipes for Braised Lamb Shanks but this is one of my favorites. The Lamb Shank is cooked very slowly in a good red wine (I emphasize good, never cook with wine you wouldn't drink), which tenderizes the meat until, when it is cooked, the meat will quite literally fall from the bone.

Adapted From: British Food About Dot Com (Some of the spelling and terminology had to be changed)
Prep Time: 0 hour, 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours, 0 minute
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
6 Lamb Shanks
2 T Olive Oil
16fl oz /500ml/ good Red Wine
1 Onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 Garlic Bulb, cut in half cross-wise
2 sprigs fresh Rosemary
1 T Greek Oregano
1 T Harissa
3 pints /1.5 litre Beef Stock
2oz /55g ice cold Butter
Salt and ground Black Pepper

Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 160°C/320 °F/Gas 2.

1). Sprinkle a chopping board with salt and freshly ground pepper, then roll each lamb shank over the board to cover lightly with seasoning.
2). In a large ovenproof casserole heat the oil, once hot, two at a time brown the lamb shanks. Remove the lamb shanks and keep to one side. Pour in the red wine, bring to a gentle boil, leave to simmer until reduced by half. Add the onion, garlic, oregano, rosemary, harissa and finally the lamb shanks.
3). Pour in enough beef stock to cover the meat, don't worry if the bones are sticking out, this is fine. Bring back to a simmer then cover the dish and place in the oven. Cook for 3 hours, checking from time to time that the meat is still covered in stock and top up as necessary and turn the shanks from time to time.
4). Once cooked, remove the shanks and keep to one side or the cooking pot. Place the casserole on the burner and bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes. When the lamb shanks are cooked through, remove them from the cooking liquid and set aside on a warm plate. Strain the sauce and check the seasoning. Whisk in the cold butter to create a really glossy sauce.

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So there you have it. Give these a try. Serve with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Here is a Recipe Link to a printable coy of the recipe. Cheers!

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