Braised Spiced Lamb Shanks

By á-170456

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil plus
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 lamb shanks - (18 to 20 oz ea)
• 6 cups chicken stock (or canned low-salt chicken broth)
• 4 garlic cloves peeled, smashed
• 1/2 pound red-skinned new potatoes quartered lengthwise
• 8 small carrots peeled
• 4 plum tomatoes halved lengthwise
• 2 small zucchini quartered lengthwise
• 8 asparagus stalks
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Grind 1 tablespoon cumin seeds and 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds in spice or coffee grinder. Transfer to small bowl. Stir in remaining cumin and coriander seeds, thyme, rosemary, curry powder, and salt. Whisk in 1/2 cup oil.

Place lamb shanks in 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass baking dish. Rub spice oil all over shanks. Cover with plastic wrap; chill overnight, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over high heat. Add lamb shanks and cook until brown on all sides, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add stock and garlic; bring to boil, cover and transfer to oven. Cook 1 hour; remove from oven and turn lamb shanks over. Cover and continue cooking until lamb is tender, about 45 minutes longer. Using tongs, transfer lamb to platter; tent with foil to keep warm.

Bring liquid in pot to simmer over medium heat. Add potatoes; simmer 10 minutes. Add carrots to liquid and simmer 5 minutes longer. Add tomatoes, zucchini, and asparagus to liquid and simmer until all vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to platter with lamb. Pour braising liquid into 4-cup measuring cup. Spoon off fat, reserving 1 tablespoon.

Heat reserved fat in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour; stir 2 minutes. Whisk in braising liquid and tomato paste. Boil until gravy coats spoon lightly, about 2 minutes. Serve lamb and vegetables with gravy.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

The secret to this recipe? The lamb marinates overnight in a fragrant oil-and-spice mixture. If you don't have a spice grinder or coffee grinder, use a mallet to crush the seeds in a resealable plastic bag.