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Greek-Style Braised Lamb Shanks

At the restaurant, orzo (rice-shaped pasta) is served alongside the gravy-rich lamb.

Type: Lamb
Courses: Main Course
Serves: 6 people

Recipe Ingredients

3 tablespoons 45mlOlive oil
6   Lamb shanks - (12 to 14 oz ea)
  Salt - to taste
  Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
2   Celery stalks - chopped
1   Onion - chopped (large)
1   Carrot - chopped (large)
6   Garlic cloves - chopped (large)
3   Drained canned anchovies
2   Cinnamon sticks
2   Bay leaves (small)
2   Fresh thyme sprigs
5   Juniper berries
  = (or 2 tablespoons gin)
1/4 teaspoon 1.3mlGround nutmeg
1 tablespoon 15mlTomato paste
1   Merlot - (750 ml)
1   Low-salt chicken broth - (14 oz)
1   Low-salt beef broth - (14 oz)

Recipe Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat oil in large ovenproof pot (wide enough to hold lamb in single layer) over medium-high heat. Sprinkle lamb on all sides with salt and pepper. Add lamb to pot and saute until brown, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer lamb to plate.

Add next 10 ingredients to pot. Saute until vegetables brown, about 20 minutes. Mix in tomato paste. Add wine and all broth; boil until liquid is reduced by half, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Return lamb to pot, arranging in single layer; add any accumulated juices. Bring to boil.

Place lamb in oven and cook uncovered until tender, basting and turning occasionally, about 2 hours. Transfer lamb to plate.

Skim any fat from top of roasting liquid. Press all liquid and enough of vegetables through sieve set over large bowl to make sauce with gravy consistency.

Return gravy to pot; add lamb. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated.) Rewarm lamb over low heat. Transfer to platter and serve.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Source:
Bon Appetit, September 2002

Rating

Average rating:

9.5 (4 votes)

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