Description
Succulent Mediterranean Braised Lamb Shanks bring rustic Italian countryside flavors to dinner tables with hearty comfort. Rich herbs, tender meat, and bold spices create a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor from first bite to final morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 lamb shanks
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Other Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by preheating to 350F (175C), ensuring an optimal braising temperature for the lamb shanks.
- Create a robust spice blend by combining garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg in a small mixing container.
- Meticulously dry the lamb shanks using paper towels, then thoroughly massage the prepared spice mixture onto the meat’s surface for complete coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, strategically searing lamb shanks on all surfaces until a rich, golden-brown crust develops.
- Without cleaning the pot, introduce chopped onion, celery, carrots, and baby potatoes, allowing them to soften and absorb the flavorful remnants from searing.
- Deglaze the pot with red wine, letting it simmer briefly to concentrate flavors, then incorporate beef broth, canned tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, thyme, and rosemary.
- Carefully nestle the seared lamb shanks back into the aromatic liquid, covering the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transferring to the preheated oven.
- Braise for approximately 212 hours, monitoring until the meat becomes incredibly tender and effortlessly separates from the bone, creating a rich, complex Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Notes
- Select high-quality lamb shanks with good marbling for maximum flavor and tenderness during braising.
- Toast whole spices before grinding to enhance their aromatic qualities and deepen the dish’s complexity.
- Opt for bone-in lamb shanks to ensure richer taste and more succulent meat texture.
- Consider using low-sodium broth to control salt levels and prevent overseasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 432.12
- Sugar: 3.90 g
- Sodium: 1,196.25 mg
- Fat: 28.70 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18.78 g
- Trans Fat: 0.31 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.28 g
- Fiber: 2.07 g
- Protein: 26.58 g
- Cholesterol: 91.25 mg