Braised Lamb Shanks: A Mouthwatering Dish

The Irish Lamb Shanks dish is famous worldwide and guarantees tender meat and rich flavors. Celebratory family dinners or gatherings can be centered around this lamb dish, where well-cooked meat is matched with healthy veggies and herbs, providing a fulfilling meal for everyone. You will be able to braise lamb shanks in a mixture of dry white wine, bone stock, and various flavorings by following this simple technique.

Ingredients

• Olive oil: 2 tbsp used for browning the lamb
• Lamb shanks: 8 pieces, preferably not too lean
• Onion: 1 large, chopped
• Carrots: 2 pieces, roughly chopped
• Fresh rosemary: A few sprigs
• Bay leaves: 3 leaves
• Garlic: 4 whole cloves for flavor
• Plain flour: 2 tbsp to thicken
• Tomato purée: 1 tbsp for richness
• White wine: 350 ml
• Lamb or chicken stock: 500 ml

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C or gas mark 6) to begin cooking.

2. Brown the Lamb Shanks

Brown the lamb shanks in olive oil to seal in moisture and flavor. This step should take about 10 minutes over high heat.

3. Sauté the Vegetables

After browning the lamb, remove it from the pan and add the chopped onion and carrots. Cook for about 10 minutes until they start to brown, then stir in the rosemary, bay leaves, and garlic for a few more minutes.

4. Prepare the Sauce

Add flour and tomato purée to the vegetable mixture, stir well, then pour in the white wine and stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate any browned bits.

5. Braise the Lamb

Return the lamb shanks to the pan, bring to a simmer, cover tightly, and place in the oven. Cook for 1½ to 2 hours until the lamb is tender and falls off the bone.

6. Finish the Sauce

Once the lamb is cooked, remove it from the sauce and return the pan to the stovetop. Let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes until it thickens, then strain it into a jug.

7. Serving Suggestion

The lamb shanks can be served immediately or refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Reheat in the sauce, adding a little water if it has thickened too much.

Relishing Braised Lamb Shanks

This dish pairs wonderfully with buttery mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. The combination of spices and thick gravy makes braised lamb shanks a perfect meal for any occasion.