Lamb shanks

[serene]

Okay, folks, lamb shanks.

They were on sale at the Berkeley Bowl this afternoon, and I've never made them. I bought two (about 1.5 pounds total) and I need ideas, and I know that I've seen some lovely recipes from you folks. Help with pointers would be great, and I'll also cruise google groups.

Comments

[violet-tigress1.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, lamb shank!

[wimsey70.livejournal.com]

Lamb shanks should be braised to avoid the chewy ick. There are some good recipes on Allrecipes; my favorites involve red wine and rosemary.

This one (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rosemary-Braised-Lamb-Shanks/Detail.aspx) can be varied for use in the crock pot (which I prefer) -- just brown the lamb shanks and put in crock pot. Add the sauce ingredients to the browning pan, and, after scraping up the browned bits of meat, slowly bring to a boil. Then pour over meat and cook in the crock pot on low for 7-8 hours (low for 4).

Now I want to make lamb shanks! :)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Ooh, sounds yummy. Normally, I don't cook with alcohol (don't like the taste), but so many recipes pair lamb and wine that I might try it.

[thekumquat.livejournal.com]

Second recs for braising. My lazy-cook preference would throwing them in the oven, with lots of rosemary and some unpeeled garlic cloves and a quartered small onion, pouring dregs of wine over, and adding potatoes and other veg during the cooking time (2 hours or so).

If you google Nigel Slater, he has many recommendations for simple tasty cooking with trad British ingredients (and you don't get much more traditional British than lamb!)

[lumpyone.livejournal.com]

Sorry this is late.. you have probably already cooked it, but for next time....

This is similar to braising the meat, but at this time of year if I can avoid using the oven I do! What I really like to do is get out the slow cooker, drop the shank in with a little salt and pepper, some rosemary (fresh is best, 1-2 sprigs), garlic (fresh, 4+ gloves), potatoes, onion, carrots and I've even done squash before but you have to wait until about 30 mins before you serve to toss that in or it gets too soft and squishy. Let the whole thing cook for about 4 - 6 hours. I avoid adding alcohol this way and there is plenty of liquid produced for a "sauce" which is more than flavorful enough from just those ingredients.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

This sounds good!

What I guess I've decided to do is to brown it, add whatever looks good from my cupboard, slow cook it while I'm gone at stonebender's, and then be better prepared next time. ;-)

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

I just did lamb shanks last weekend. Really should post, huh?

(A sort-of-north African style dish. No alcohol.)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Mmm, yes.

That reminds me to post about mine, too.

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

Long, slow and moist. Lamb shanks make fantastic braises or stews.