How to Cook Lamb Shanks With Garlic

Lamb shank pairs well with rice.

Lamb shanks come from the portion of the leg from the knee down. There is not a lot of meat to the shank, and it can tend to be tough and gristly if improperly cooked. In order to tenderize the shank, slow cooking is essential. However, when cooked slowly and in plenty of juice, the meat of the lamb shank will be softened enough to fall away from the bone easily, leaving a mouth-watering tasty morsel behind.

Things You'll Need

• 4 lamb shanks
• Sea or Kosher salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 15 unpeeled garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon tarragon (optional)
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• Pepper
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Large pan with lid
• Plate
• Sieve
• Wooden spoon or cooking spatula
• Serving plates

Instructions

Directions

1. Sprinkle salt on the shanks. Large crystal salt works best, but table salt can be substituted.

2. Pour three to four tablespoons of olive oil into the pan. Warm the oil, then add the salted lamb shanks. Sprinkle with the rosemary, tarragon and basil.

3. Flip the shanks after they have begun to brown. Allow to brown on the second side, then add the garlic cloves. The garlic should be unpeeled.

4. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for an hour and a half. Flip the lamb shanks occasionally. The shanks will cook in their own juices, but will eventually dry out. When they begin to dry, add the water one spoonful at a time.

5. Remove shanks from the pan, and drain off excess fat. Add the wine to the pan. De glaze by scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen the caramelized garlic. Allow the caramelized bits to melt, while stirring well.

6. Pour the mixture in the pan through a strainer to remove garlic husks. Return to pan and simmer until the mixture is reduced by half. When the reduction is finished, put the lamb shanks back into the pan for a few minutes to warm. Top with pepper and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe makes four servings.

References

• Recipe Gold Mine: Lamb Shank With Garlic
• NPR: Lamb Shanks