Title: Braised Lamb Shanks with Rutabaga and Carrots
Categories: None
Yield: 1 Servings

6 Lamb shanks; (about 1 pound
-each)
3 tb Olive oil
4 md Onions; halved lengthwise
-and cut crosswise into
1/4 Inch-thick slices
3 lg Garlic cloves; minced
1 cn (28-ounce) whole tomatoes;
-chopped, with juice
4 c Water
1 Bay leaf
2 Cinnamon sticks
1/4 ts Ground allspice
3/4 ts Dried orange peel*
2 ts Salt
1 md Rutabaga; (about 2 pounds),
-peeled and cut into 1-inch
-pieces
6 Carrots; cut crosswise into
-1-inch pieces
2 tb Minced fresh parsley leaves

-------------------------------ACCOMPANIMENT-------------------------------
Cooked rice

*available in spice section of supermarkets

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Pat lamb shanks dry. In a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) large enough
to fit 1 lamb shank heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until
hot but not smoking and brown lamb shanks, 1 at a time, transferring as
browned to a 9-quart heavy ovenproof kettle. Pour off fat from skillet and
cook onions in remaining tablespoons oil over moderate heat, stirring,
until golden. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30
seconds. To kettle add onion mixture, tomatoes with juice, water, bay leaf,
cinnamon sticks, allspice, orange peel, salt, and pepper to taste and bring
liquid to a boil. Braise lamb, covered, in oven until just tender, about
1 3/4 hours.

Stir in rutabaga and carrots and braise, covered, in oven until vegetables
are tender, about 30 minutes. Braised lamb shanks improve in flavor if made
1 day ahead. Cool mixture, uncovered, and chill, covered. Skim fat,
discarding it, and reheat lamb, if chilled, over moderate heat, stirring
occasionally, until hot. Transfer lamb and vegetables with a slotted spoon
to a platter and boil braising liquid until reduced to about 4 cups.

Remove meat from 2 lamb shanks and chop fine, reserving chopped meat and 1
cup braising liquid for making pastitsio.

Return remaining 4 lamb shanks and vegetables to kettle and simmer,
covered, until heated through.

Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle lamb and vegetables with parsley and serve with
rice.

Serves 4

Gourmet November 1994

Posted to recipelu-digest by Sandy on Mar 16, 1998