Lamb Shanks With Pears Pistachios Recipes

SEARED RACK OF LAMB WITH PISTACHIO TAPENADE

Steps:

• To make the pistachio tapenade: In a food processor combine the pistachios, olives, capers, garlic, herbs and puree. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a paste. Add the zest and pulse 1 more time, drizzling in more oil if necessary. Reserve until ready to use.
• Remove 2 rib bones from the 8 rib rack to make it a 6-rib rack. Counting from either end remove the 2nd and 7th bone. This will create 6 even chops that are thicker than a normal lamb chop. Cut 6 even chops and season them generously with salt and allow them to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Coat a large saute pan generously with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the lamb chops and cook for about 2 minutes on each side to brown. If the pan begins to smoke, lower the heat. The chops should be beautifully caramelized on both sides. Remove the chops to a sheet pan and schmear generously with the pistachio tapenade. Place in preheated oven and cook another 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Remove chops from oven and let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

LAMB SHANKS WITH PEARS & PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Place lamb in a large roasting pan. Sprinkle 1/4 cup salt over; toss to coat. Loosely cover with foil or plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours. Preheat broiler. Divide shanks between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Broil lamb 1 sheet at a time, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes per batch. Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a large roasting pan over 2 burners set to medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; saute until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add ground cardamom and cinnamon stick and season generously with salt; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in pomegranate juice and 3 cups water, scraping up browned bits. Add 3/4 cup pistachios and reserved lamb, arranging the meatier part of the shanks in the liquid with bones facing upward. Cover pan tightly with a double layer of foil. Cook, basting and turning shanks every hour, until meat is tender and almost falling off the bone, about 3 hours. Uncover pan. Add whole pears, pushing to submerge; let cool completely at room temperature. Cover; chill overnight. Chop remaining 1/4 cup pistachios; cover and store airtight at room temperature. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Scrape fat from surface of braising liquid in pan; discard. Heat lamb mixture over 2 burners set to medium heat, occasionally shifting shanks and stirring juices, until warmed through, 10-15 minutes. Gently transfer shanks to a large rimmed baking sheet. Scoop 1 cup braising liquid over. Roast, basting occasionally until glazed, 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, add rose water to roasting pan with pears and bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce thickens, 10-12 minutes. Remove pears and reserve. Without pressing on solids, strain sauce into a bowl or measuring cup. Skim fat from surface. Place 1 lamb shank in each bowl. Drizzle sauce over lamb. Sprinkle with herbs ans reserved pistachios and serve with pears.

MOROCCAN-STYLE LAMB SHANKS WITH POTATOES AND PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small heavy pot or skillet, and stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, and saffron; then lay in the lamb shanks. Cook for about 5 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently and turning the shanks over. Pour in enough water to cover, and sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grindings of pepper. Cover, and continue to cook over low heat for 1 1/2-2 hours, until the shanks are very tender; check the level of liquid, and add more water if necessary so that it just covers the shanks. Add the potatoes, and simmer for 20 minutes; then add the peas, preserved lemon, and olives, and cook another 4 or 5 minutes. Fish out one of the shanks and the potatoes, and place on a warm plate; then, with a fine-mesh scoop, pick up all the peas and seasonings and scatter them over the meat. Pour on some of the cooking sauce (you'll only use about half of it), and sprinkle the parsley and cilantro on top.
• Variations
• I've used lima beans instead of peas, as well as a handful of fava beans, when I have them in the garden; both take a little longer to cook than the peas, so allow for that. If you don't have preserved lemon, either store-bought or homemade, use a couple of slivers of fresh lemon peel, finely julienned. And don't worry if you don't have fresh cilantro-parsley alone is fine. Be sure to save the rest of the cooking sauce.

LAMB SHANKS WITH APRICOTS AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Place in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with 6 cups water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a low simmer and cook, covered with lid ajar, for 1 hour. Remove shanks and reserve cooking liquid. Wipe out the pan. (You may cook the lamb shanks in advance, even a day ahead.)
• Set Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon garlic, bay leaf, saffron, tomato paste and paprika. Stir together and let sizzle for 1 minute, then add reserved lamb broth and bring to a boil. Add lamb shanks and apricots, cover with lid ajar and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, until meat is very tender, nearly falling off the bone.
• Remove shanks and place on a cutting board to cool. Add parsnips to simmering broth, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Taste broth and adjust seasoning. If necessary, reduce over medium-high heat to concentrate cooking juices.
• When shanks are cool enough to handle, remove the bones (use your hands). Cut the meat into large chunks and return to the pot to warm through. Transfer meat and sauce to a serving platter.
• To finish, warm remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic and let sizzle without browning, about 30 seconds. Add chickpeas and warm them through, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt, and toss with the chopped cilantro. Spoon chickpeas over lamb and sauce.

PISTACHIO CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Generously season each rack of lamb with herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Place lamb in skillet and cook, browning on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to a foil-lined baking sheet; set aside.
• Stir pistachios, bread crumbs, butter, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a bowl. Spread mustard on the fat-side of each rack of lamb. Pat pistachio mixture on top of mustard. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and lamb is pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

LAMB TAGINE WITH PEARS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add shallots, and saute until lightly browned. Add lamb, and cook until browned all over. Add just enough water to cover (about 3 cups). Season with salt, pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and saffron. Simmer, covered, over low heat until lamb is very tender, about 1 hour. If the sauce needs to thicken, uncover, and cook for 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, quarter and core pears, but do not peel them. In a large skillet, heat butter and remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add pears, and cook until cut sides have caramelized. Place pears, skin-side up, on top of meat in the skillet. Continue to cook, covered, until pears are very tender, about 30 minutes. Be sure not to overcook pears or they will fall apart. Serve immediately.

LAMB WITH PEARS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, brown the scallions in the grape seed oil. Add the Lamb steaks and brown on both sides. Put enough water in the sauce pan to half cover the meat and scallions.
• Sprinkle in the spices, stir until well mixed, and simmer.
• In another pan combine the butter with the remaining grape seed oil. Make sure the butter doesn't burn or brown. Add the sliced pear and caramelize the fleshy parts, NOT the skin. Add this to the Lamb and scallions. Cover and simmer until done to your liking.
• Serve with roti, paratha, or boiled potatoes. Goes well greek salad, tabouli, or chick-pea salad on the side.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH PEPPERS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven 300 degrees.
• Sprinkle shanks with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
• Place shanks in oven-proof pot just large enough to hold them.
• Add 12 unpeeled garlic cloves, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs.
• On stove top, cook over moderate heat until browned.
• (15 minutes).
• Cover and put in the ovent for 2 hours or til very tender.
• Turn every 20 minutes.
• Remove the pot from oven and let stand covered for 20 minutes.
• Remove the shanks and set aside.
• Add chicken broth to pot and boil over high heat, scraping brown bits from bottom of the pot.
• Boil until reduced to 2 cups.
• Skim frequently.
• (about 10 minutes).
• Strain stock and return to pot.
• Add peeled garlic cloves and simmer til tender.
• (20 minutes).
• Return lamb to casserole.
• Add peppers and thyme leaves.
• Cover and cook til peppers are tender.
• (10 minutes).
• Transfer shanks to serving plates.
• Stir butter into the saunde and season with remaining salt and pepper.
• Spoon sauce around shanks.