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Lamb Shanks Mediterranean Style Recipe

April 15, 2022

Patty James

Mediterranean-spiced braised lamb shanks, cooked in red wine and fresh herbs.

Mealtime: Dinner
Cuisine type: Mediterranean
Cooking time: 3 hours
Active preparation time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6
Dish type: Main
Level: Easy

Nutrition per serving:

Calories: 319.82 kcal
Carbohydrates: 39.81 grams
Fat: 9.01 grams
Protein: 12.02 grams

Ingredients:

2 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder*
1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika*
1 teaspoon salt*
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper*
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
6 lamb shanks
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
1 pound baby potatoes, scrubbed
2 cups red wine
3 cups low sodium beef broth
28 ounces can peeled tomatoes
2 cinnamon sticks
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions:

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2:

In a small bowl, add all the spice mix ingredients and mix to combine.*

Step 3:

Pat the lamb shanks dry and season with the spice mix on all sides.

Step 4:

In a large Dutch oven pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the lamb shanks on all sides (about 8 mins or so). Transfer the lamb shanks to a large tray or bowl for now. Carefully dispose of extra fat in a separate heat-safe bowl, and return the pot to heat.

Step 5:

Now add the onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes. Saute for 5-7 minutes on medium-high, or until the vegetables gain some color. Add red wine, and scrape the pot of brown bits. Cook briefly so that the wine reduces a bit.

Step 6:

Add the broth, tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, thyme, and rosemary. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Return lamb shanks back to the pot; press down to submerge. Boil for 10 minutes. Turn heat off.

Step 7:

Cover the pot and transfer to the 350 degrees F-heated oven. Cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours (It’s a good idea to check periodically through cooking just in case you need to add a little more liquid. When the shanks finish cooking, the liquid will have reduced to about 1/3 of what it was when you started.)

Step 8:

While the lamb shanks are cooking, prepare rice according to your favorite recipe, or prepare 2-3 cups of orzo pasta according to package instructions.

Step 9:

Serve the lamb shanks hot with a little of the veggies and braising sauce on top of rice or orzo pasta. You might also like to prepare a side salad or Fattoush as well. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes:

Follow the recipe instructions for seasoning and browning the lamb. Transfer the lamb to a large slow cooker. Add the vegetables, then add 1 cup wine (instead of 2), and add broth and remaining ingredients. Cover the slow cooker. Set on low and cook for 8 hours or on high and cook for 5 to 6 hours or until the shanks are fully cooked to fall-apart tender.