Shanks For Asking

Chef's notes#

SHANKS FOR ASKING!!!

This is one of the cheapest and tastiest cuts of lamb. Cooked this way, the sauce is very tasty and the meat will just fall off the bone. Served with potato mash, polenta, couscous or rice, it is honestly fucking delightful.

Details#

• ⏲️ Prep time: 10mins
• 🍳 Cook time: 4hours plus
• 🍽️ Servings: 6

Ingredients#

• 4 lamb shanks
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 small dried red chilli or 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chilli
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, quartered and finely sliced
• 6 sticks of celery, quartered and finely sliced
• 2 medium/large onions, quartered and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 170ml / 6fl oz dry white wine
• 6 anchovy fillets
• 2 x 400gr/14oz tins of plum tomatoes
• 1 handful of fresh basil, marjoram or flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Directions#

1. Season the lamb with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Smash up the coriander seeds and dried chilli and mix with the chopped rosemary and dried marjoram. Roll the lamb in this mixture, pressing it in well. Dust the lamb with the flour.
2. Heat a thick-bottomed casserole pan, add the oil, brown the meat on all sides and then remove from the pan. Add the garlic, carrot, celery, onions and a pinch of salt and sweat them until softened.
3. Add the balsamic vinegar and allow it to reduce to a syrup. Pour in the white wine and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Add the anchovies (these really seem to intensify the lamb flavour) and then add the tinned tomatoes, kept whole.
5. Shake the pan and return the lamb to it. Bring to the boil, put on the lid and simmer in the oven at 180C/350F/gas5 for 1 1/2 hours, then remove the lid and cook for a further 1/2 hour.
6. Skim off any fat and taste for seasoning. Finally, stir in a handful of roughly chopped fresh basil, marjoram or flat-leaf parsley