How to Cook a Lamb Shank

The lamb shank is a cut of meat taken from the forearm and shoulder of the lamb. It contains mostly bone, but the meat can be very flavorful. It is commonly braised, or cooked in a liquid, and the excess gravy is poured over the finished shanks. This recipe yields four 1-pound lamb shanks which will serve four people.

Things You'll Need

• Stock pot Olive oil 4 (1 lb.) lamb shanks Onion Minced garlic Beef broth Red cooking wine Black pepper Bay leaf Carrots Celery Turnip Aluminum foil Butter All purpose flour Salt Serving plates

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tsp. of olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add the lamb shanks and cook until browned on all sides. Remove shanks from the pot and set aside.

2. Peel and chop one medium onion and add it to the stock pot with 1 tbsp. of minced garlic. Cook the ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onion begins to wilt.

3. Add 14 oz. of beef broth, ½ cup of red cooking wine, 1/8 tsp. of black pepper, and a bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine and then add the browned lamb shanks. Cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for one hour.

4. Dice two medium carrots, two celery stalks, and one turnip, and add them all to the stock pot. Simmer the ingredients for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the lamb shanks and vegetables are fork tender. Transfer the lamb shanks from the stock pot to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to rest.

5. Skim and discard any excess fat from the surface of the broth. Mash 2 tbsp. of butter and 2 tbsp. of all-purpose flour into a paste. Drop small pieces of the mixture into the simmering broth, while stirring constantly, until all the paste is added. This addition will thicken the broth into gravy.

6. Season the gravy with a dash of salt and pepper, and remove from heat. Place each lamb shank on a large serving plate, cover with the vegetable gravy, and serve immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• For stronger garlic flavor, add one medium, pressed clove of garlic instead of minced garlic. Water can be used in place of the beef broth, but the gravy will be substantially less flavorful.

References

• Book: The Wooden Spoon Book of Old Family Recipes; Marilyn M. Moore; 1997
• Purdue University - Department of Animal Sciences - Lamb Cut Descriptions and Preparations