Braised Port Lamb Shanks Recipes

BRAISED PORK SHANK

Steps:

• For the brine: Bring the water to a simmer in a large non-reactive pot. Turn off the heat and add salt, sugar, coriander, peppercorns, rosemary, bay leaf and garlic and bring to a simmer. Whisk until the salt and sugar is dissolved, and then let it cool in the fridge or an ice bath until the brine hits a temperature of 35 degrees F.
• Add the shanks to the cooled brine and weigh down with a plate to ensure that the shanks are completely submerged. Refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.
• After brining, remove the shanks from the brining liquid to a baking sheet lined with a clean kitchen towel to dry off a bit. Discard the brining liquid.
• For the braise: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Pour in enough oil so that it covers the bottom of the Dutch oven or roasting pan completely. Put some flour in a shallow dish. Add a heavy pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper to the flour and whisk to combine. Dredge the shanks in the flour, shaking off the excess, and add them to the pan. In order to get a nice even golden-brown sear, you don't want to overcrowd the pan. (Do this step in two batches if necessary.) Brown the shanks on all sides, a few minutes per side, then remove to a plate while you sear the rest.
• Add the celery, onions, carrots, garlic, rosemary and thyme with a large pinch of salt. Sweat the vegetables until tender, about 5 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine and reduce by three-quarters. Add the apple cider and reduce by half. Add half the chicken stock and bring the braising liquid up to a simmer. Taste it for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper if necessary. Place the shanks back into the pan; the liquid should go about halfway up the shanks. If it does not, add the rest of the liquid until it reaches the desired half. Put the pan in the oven and cook until the meat is tender, about 200 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer, 4 to 5 hours.
• Remove the shanks from the oven and carefully transfer the shanks to another large pan. Then strain the braising liquid over the shanks. Cool them in the liquid overnight in the refrigerator.
• The next day, reheat the shanks in their liquid. Then remove them to a large serving platter. Spoon some of the braising liquid over the meat.

SLOW-BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown shanks well in oil; this will take as long as half an hour (you can cover the pan to avoid spattering). Sprinkle with salt and pepper as they cook.
• Lower the heat, pour off the excess fat, add the wine or stock. Simmer over low heat for 1½ to 2 hours, covered, turning and adding water, about ¼ cup at a time, as necessary, until the meat is falling of the bone.
• Cool. Take meat off the bone and reserve the liquid. When the liquid is cool, skim the fat and reserve the juice. Use meat and juice in the following recipes: Tomato Sauce With Lamb and Pasta; Indian Lamb Curry With Basmati Rice; Chinese Braised Lamb Shanks.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the onions in a layer in the bottom of a Dutch oven or medium roasting pan with a lid. Arrange the lamb shanks on top of the onions. Pour the wine, balsamic vinegar and olive oil over the lamb. Place a clove of pressed garlic next to each shank, and a quarter of a lemon on each side. Pour the tomatoes over everything, then season with salt, pepper and basil.
• Cover and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 3 hours. Use juices from the pan to make a nice flavorful gravy.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat a large Dutch oven generously with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Season the shanks generously with salt and add them to the pan. Brown well on all sides. This is an incredibly important step; do not rush it.
• Meanwhile, puree the onions, carrots, celery and garlic in a food processor until it becomes a coarse paste. Remove and set aside.
• Remove the shanks from the pan to a sheet tray. Discard the excess fat from the pan. Add a little more oil to coat the bottom of the pan and add the pureed veggies. Season with salt, to taste. Saute the veggies until they are very brown and aromatic, about 20 minutes. The brown veggies should form a sort of crust on the bottom of the pan, do not let this burn; it is where a lot of the flavor is! Don't rush this step either, since this is where you will develop the brown color and flavor.
• Add the tomato paste and brown for 5 minutes. Stir in the wine, chopped rosemary and thyme bundle. Stir frequently and cook until the wine has reduced by about half.
• Add the shanks back to the pot and pour in 3 to 4 cups of water. The shanks should be submersed, if they are not, add more water. Add the bay leaves to the pan, cover and put in the preheated oven. The cooking time will be about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Turn the shanks over about halfway through the cooking time. Check the shanks every 45 minutes or so. If the liquid has reduced too much add more water. Defat as you go.
• Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for maximum browning. When the shanks are done the meat should be incredibly tender and flavorful. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with Gremolata. Serve with Hard Polenta Cakes, if desired,
• Call yourself a superstar!!!
• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and set aside until ready to use.

SLOW ROASTED LAMB SHANK WITH PORT AND REDCURRANT JUS

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven 190C Chop the celery, onions and carrots into large chunks and lay in a flameproof casserole or roasting tin. Nestle the seasoned shanks of lamb on top of the vegetables then add herbs, spices, peppercorns, wine and port. Cover loosely with ovenproof foil and bake for 1.5 hours. Remove the foil then cook for another 30 minutes. Transfer the meat and vegetables to a large, warmed serving dish and keep warm, leaving the juices in the roasting tin Meanwhile, boil potatoes with a sprig of fresh mint until tender. Keep warm. Place broccoli in a pan with two cups of water and a knob of butter, season and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook over a medium/high heat for five minutes until the broccoli is tender. Drain the broccoli cooking water into the tin containing the lamb roasting juices, then place the tin over a medium heat on the hob to release the caramelised juices before stirring in the redcurrant jelly and more wine as needed; simmer to create a rich jus. Arrange the broccoli and potatoes around the lamb, pour the jus into a warmed jug and serve.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH PRUNES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 4 tablespoons oil in large wide ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb in single layer; cook until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer lamb to rimmed baking sheet. Add 2 tablespoons oil to pot. Add onion and carrot and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add prunes, garlic, and cardamom and stir 2 minutes. Add both broths and bring to boil. Return lamb to pot, cover, and transfer to oven.
• Braise lamb until tender, about 1 3/4 hours. Transfer lamb to rimmed baking sheet. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Return lamb to pot, turning to coat. DO AHEAD: Lamb can be made 2 days ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, cover, and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing. Place lamb shanks on plates. Spoon sauce over.

BRAISED PORT LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Mix the coriander, fennel, and peppercorns in a small frying pan. Toast on medium-high heat until aromatic and slightly darker, about 2 minutes. Using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, crush the spices. Add the salt. Rub each shank with the spice blend.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shanks to the skillet. Cook until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and leek. Saute over medium heat until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the port, veal stock, garlic, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet.
• Cover the skillet with a lid or foil. Place the skillet in the oven and braise the lamb until tender, for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the meat falls off the bone. Remove the lamb shanks from the skillet and filter the sauce through a fine sieve over a stockpot. On medium heat, let the sauce reduce by 1/2, for about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another skillet, melt the butter and add the lamb shank. Coat them with honey. Caramelize the shanks on all sides over medium heat on the stove for about 5 minutes, adding a ladle of the sauce. Keep warm.
• Serve the lamb shanks with the sauce, buttered green beans and a parsnips mash or any other mash to taste.
• Notes
• Can be made 1 day ahead. Let the lamb cool then place in the refrigerator covered. Reheat in a 350 degrees F oven for 1/2 hour before serving.