Braised Lamb Shanks

By gardner12am

Ingredients

• 6 6 1 lamb fore shanks (about 1 pound each)
• coarse salt and fresh black pepper
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 2 2 medium celery stalks, coarsely chopped
• 1 1 1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 1 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 2 2 1 cups red wine & 1 cup white wine
• 5 5 5 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 1 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 1 1 T whole black peppercorns
• 3 3 3 anchovy fillets
• 1 1 1 whole head garlic, cut in half
• 1/3 1/3 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1 1 1 tsp sugar
• 2 2 1 cups veal stock (or 1 cup demi-glaze)
• 2 2 2 cups chicken stock
• soft polenta

Details

Servings 6
Cooking time 240mins
Adapted from google.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut about 1 inch from the bottom (narrow end) of the shank bones down to the bone and all the way around, this will help expose the one while cooking. Season with salth and pepper, set aside.

2.Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add lamb and sear until brown all over, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from pot and set aside.

3. Poor off all but 3 tablespoons fat. Add celery, carrots, and onion and cook until soft and beginning to brown, 5-6 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook about 3 minutes more. Stir in red and white wine, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns anchovies, garlic, vinegar and sugar. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook for about 5 minutes to burn off some of the alcohol. Add veal and chicken stocks.

4. Add lamb and return to a boil. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook 1 hour. Uncover and cook until meat is very tender, turning the shanks over every half hour. 2 1/2 to 3 hours more.

5. Remove shanks from braising liquid. Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Skim any fat that rises to the surface and use the liquid as a sauce. Spoon some polenta onto a serving plate. Top with a lamb shank. Spoon sauce around plate and serve immediately