Lamb Shanks with a Lemon Twist

Kathleen Bean, San Francisco, California

This is a wonderful dish for company; very little work to prepare, just the roasting time. It is best if prepared a day in advance so the flavors develop.

Ingredients for Lamb Shanks with a Lemon Twist

• 2 Meyer lemons
• 4 medium lamb shanks, trimmed
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and cut into medium wedges
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 6 carrots, peeled and cut into thin sticks
• 6 celery stalks, trimmed and cut into thin sticks
• 4 cups hot chicken stock
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 bunch fresh mint
• 1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
  
  

Directions for Lamb Shanks with a Lemon Twist
Preheat oven to 350. Zest the lemons, chop it fine and set aside in a covered container. Cut lemons in half and, working over a large dish, rub them into shanks, squeezing out all the juice. Discard the rinds. Season the shanks generously with salt and pepper and set aside.

Melt the butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a deep, heavy roasting pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté, stirring often, until onions are soft (about 5 minutes). Add carrots and celery and cook until vegetables are hot (about 3 minutes). Transfer vegetables with a slotted spoon to a bowl and set aside.

Increase the heat to medium-high, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan and brown the shanks on all sides. Pour stock and wine over shanks, season to taste with salt and pepper and add the vegetables. Add the bay leaf and all but 3 branches of the mint. Cover and bake until the shanks are tender and the meat is falling from the bone, usually about 3 hours.

Remove the bay leaf and skim any fat from the liquid. (If you prepare the dish ahead of time, allow it to cool completely and then skim the fat.)

Serve in large bowls with mashed potatoes; garnish with the chopped mint, parsley and lemon zest.

Serves 4.

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