Pomegranate Merlot Braised Lamb Shanks Recipes

LAMB BRAISED IN POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Generously season lamb chops with salt and black pepper.
• Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Place lamb chops in Dutch oven and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to a plate and reduce heat to medium.
• Stir onion and a pinch of salt into the Dutch oven; cook until onions are slightly golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Pour pomegranate juice into the Dutch oven and scrape any browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Pour in balsamic vinegar, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
• Stir rosemary, mint leaves, and red pepper flakes into pomegranate juice mixture. Continue to boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Return lamb and any accumulated juices to Dutch oven, spoon pomegranate mixture over lamb, and cover.
• Cook in the preheated oven until meat is fork tender, about 2 hours. Transfer lamb to a plate and set Dutch oven on the stovetop over high heat. Bring pomegranate mixture to a boil; cook, skimming any fat that accumulates, until liquid is reduced by 1/3, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in honey and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Return lamb to the Dutch oven; stir to combine. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, sliced mint leaves, and pumpkin seeds.

POMEGRANATE BRAISED LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• In a pan toast the coriander seeds, fennel seeds and cumin seeds until fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes on medium heat. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind until powdery, set aside with the remainder of the spices.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or braising pot on medium-high heat. Season the lamb shanks with the kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Add the vegetable oil and olive oil to the pre-heated pot, then working in batches so as to not overcrowd begin searing the lamb shanks until deeply browned on all sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Once all of the lamb shanks have been browned, remove from the pot and set aside. Drain off any excess fat from the pot, there should only be just enough to evenly coat the bottom of the pot.
• Turn the heat down to medium and add in the onions, celery, carrots, smashed garlic cloves and tomato paste. Stir, cover with a lid and allow to cook until the vegetables have softened and browned, approximately 7-10 minutes.
• Add in the spice mix (bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, ground coriander, ground fennel, ground cumin, chili flakes, thyme sprigs) and cook for 2 minutes stirring regularly.
• Add in the beef stock, pomegranate syrup, and browned lamb shanks. Bring to a rolling simmer, cover with a lid and cook the lamb shanks for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, flipping the lamb shanks half way through. Skim any excess fat that rises to the top while braising.
• After 1 1/2 - 2 hours the meat should be able to pull away from the bone easily but not falling apart. Carefully remove the lamb shanks from the pot and set aside. Pass the entire braising liquid mixture through a fine mesh strainer into another large pot. Discard all strained off braising ingredients at this point. The sauce should be smooth and deep brown in color.
• In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and water and mix until even (this is known as a "slurry"). Bring the strained braising sauce to a boil and add in the cornstarch slurry mixture half at a time until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon without running off, it should be a loose gravy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Add the lamb shanks back into the finished sauce and heat through.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, parsley leaves and dill, toss gently to combine. To serve the lamb shanks, serve straight from the braising pot or transfer to platter and top with the pomegranate-herb salad.

LAMB SHANKS WITH POMEGRANATE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place lamb shanks on a large rimmed baking sheet; season generously with salt and pepper. Mix cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, and cardamom in a small bowl; massage spice mixture into lamb. Let rest 1 hour at room temperature or chill uncovered up to 12 hours (the longer, the better).
• If chilling, let shanks sit at room temperature 1 hour for even roasting.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over medium-high. Working in batches, cook lamb shanks until brown on all sides, 10-15 minutes. Transfer lamb to paper towels to drain.
• Wipe out pot and let cool slightly so that vegetables don't burn. Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in pot over medium. Add onions, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 8-10 minutes. Add thyme sprigs, garlic, and bay leaves and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle flour over and stir vigorously to evenly distribute. Cook, stirring often, until flour is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add wine; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in broth, pomegranate juice, and pomegranate molasses. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 5 minutes.
• Arrange lamb shanks in a single layer in a large roasting pan. Pour in onion mixture and push lamb shanks down into liquid (about three-quarters of lamb shanks should be submerged; add more broth if needed). Cover pan with foil and cook lamb, turning occasionally, until meat is fork-tender and almost falling off the bone, 1 1/2-2 hours. Remove pan from oven and let lamb rest, covered, in liquid at least 30 minutes.
• Transfer lamb to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Strain braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium saucepan; skim off fat from surface and discard. Add walnuts to braising liquid and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cook until reduced by one-third, 15-20 minutes (sauce should be slightly thickened and velvety). Add butter a piece at a time, stirring after each addition until incorporated before adding more; sauce should look glossy. Return lamb to pot and cook, stirring to coat, until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Arrange lamb over polenta on a platter and spoon walnuts and sauce over; top with lemon zest.
• Do Ahead
• Lamb shanks can be braised 1 day ahead. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.

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.