Lamb Shanks Braised Recipe

Popular Lamb Shanks browned in pan and cooked in casserole pan served covered with sauce

1½ tablespoons olive oil

2 celery stalks, diced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 carrot, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1½ cups (375ml) white wine

1 cup (250ml) chicken or beef stock

6 lamb shanks, frenched

thinly sliced rind of ½ lemon

a few sprigs thyme, plus extra to serve

mashed potato, to serve

Preheat oven to 150°C.

Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, flame proof casserole pan on medium.

Cook celery, garlic and carrot for 5 7 minutes,until soft but not coloured.

Stir in tomato paste, wine and stock and bring to boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer.

Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a heavy based frying pan on medium and brown lamb shanks all over.

Transfer to casserole pan and turn to coat with sauce.

Add lemon rind and thyme and season with pepper.

Bake for 1½ hours, until meat is very tender.

Transfer lamb shanks from casserole pan to serving dish.

Cover loosely with foil and keep warm.

Skim any fat from surface of sauce and place casserole pan on cook top on high heat.

Simmer sauce for 5 minutes, until reduced by half and thickened.

Season to taste.

Pour over shanks.

To serve, spoon mash onto plates, top with shanks, spoon over sauce and scatter with extra thyme.

Recipe by Suzanne Gibbs