Lamb Shanks Braised In Merlot With Figs Recipes

SLOW BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 160ºC/320ºF.
• Season the lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Brown the lamb shanks in a large, deep oven-proof pot/pan until well-browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, fry the onion, carrot, celery and garlic until soft and fragrant. Add the herbs and tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds before adding the red wine and stock. Allow to come to a simmer then add the lamb shanks back into the sauce.
• Cover with a lid and place in the oven. Allow to braise slowly for 2-3 hours until the lamb is soft and succulent. Check on the lamb shanks half-way through cooking and add more stock if necessary.
• Remove from the oven and serve.

LAMB SHANKS BRAISED IN MERLOT WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Place the lamb shanks in a deep dish with the onions celery, olives, capers, dried figs, black pepper, rosemary and garlic.
• Pour over the merlot and marinate, covered, in the fridge for at least 4 hours-24 hours for preference.
• Remove the shanks from the marinade.
• Reserve the marinade.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and brown the shanks on all sides.
• Transfer them to a casserole dish.
• Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir over a moderately high heat until it becomes a deep reddish brown colour.
• add the stock and bring to the boil.
• Pour over the meat and add the reserved marinade ingredients.
• Cover and cook at 160c for 2-2 1/2 hours or until the meat is nearly falling foo the bone.
• Season to taste, serve over mash with greens on the side.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat a large Dutch oven generously with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Season the shanks generously with salt and add them to the pan. Brown well on all sides. This is an incredibly important step; do not rush it.
• Meanwhile, puree the onions, carrots, celery and garlic in a food processor until it becomes a coarse paste. Remove and set aside.
• Remove the shanks from the pan to a sheet tray. Discard the excess fat from the pan. Add a little more oil to coat the bottom of the pan and add the pureed veggies. Season with salt, to taste. Saute the veggies until they are very brown and aromatic, about 20 minutes. The brown veggies should form a sort of crust on the bottom of the pan, do not let this burn; it is where a lot of the flavor is! Don't rush this step either, since this is where you will develop the brown color and flavor.
• Add the tomato paste and brown for 5 minutes. Stir in the wine, chopped rosemary and thyme bundle. Stir frequently and cook until the wine has reduced by about half.
• Add the shanks back to the pot and pour in 3 to 4 cups of water. The shanks should be submersed, if they are not, add more water. Add the bay leaves to the pan, cover and put in the preheated oven. The cooking time will be about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Turn the shanks over about halfway through the cooking time. Check the shanks every 45 minutes or so. If the liquid has reduced too much add more water. Defat as you go.
• Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for maximum browning. When the shanks are done the meat should be incredibly tender and flavorful. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with Gremolata. Serve with Hard Polenta Cakes, if desired,
• Call yourself a superstar!!!
• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and set aside until ready to use.

BRAISED LAMB CHOPS WITH RED WINE AND FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season lamb with fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in large high-sided ovenproof skillet over high heat. Sear chops until well browned, about 5 minutes per side.
• Add wine and vinegar. Boil until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Add stock, figs, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
• Braise lamb in oven, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover. Braise, basting often, until lamb is tender and just falling off the bone, about 45 minutes more. (If liquid is not saucelike, simmer over medium-high heat until thickened.) Serve lamb with sauce.

LAMB SHANKS WITH MERLOT AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Trim off any excess fat from the lamb shanks.
• Sprinkle the shanks with the salt and pepper.
• Spread the flour on a plate and turn the shanks in the flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a large, heavy ovenproof pot over high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Add the shanks (in batches, if necessary) and brown well on all sides, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the shanks to a plate.
• Wipe out the pot.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pot over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 3-4 minutes.
• Return the shanks to the pot along with the potatoes, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, wine, and stock.
• Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to the oven.
• Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and continue to bake until the Iamb is very tender, about 30 minutes longer.
• Transfer the shanks to a platter.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes and carrots to the platter.
• Cover and keep warm.
• Using a large spoon, skim off any fat from the surface of the sauce remaining in the pot.
• Lift out and discard the bay leaves and the thyme.
• Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Cook the sauce until it reduces and is lightly thickened, 3-5 minutes.
• Pour the sauce around the meat.
• Sprinkle the meat and vegetables with the parsley and mint.