1.12.2011

Cold Weather Dinner: Lamb Shanks in Red Wine


My family loves lamb. Lamb chops, rack of lamb, lamb kabobs, leg of lamb, lamb shanks and even lamb kidneys. (I must post my recipe for the kidneys soon...my kids used to love them over toast for breakfast.) And my herbed leg of lamb made it into our Junior League Cookbook, Savor the Moment.

But our favorite winter lamb dish has always been Lamb Shanks in Red Wine. I found the recipe years ago in one of the 1959 Gourmet cookbooks...there are two volumes. My mother gave them to me as a gift and I use recipes from each frequently, still. Sadly, Volume II doesn't seem to be available on Amazon any longer. I remember one of the volumes had the first recipe for quiche Lorraine I ever saw....and made. And their photo of croquembouche was so gorgeous that I made it immediately and haven't made one since. Have you noticed how few of the really old cookbooks have photos? We are so into photos and presentation these days.


Anyway, we had some really cold weather in Florida over the holidays (well, cold for us) so one night my kids asked me to make the lamb shank dish. I'd forgotten the marvelous fragrance while cooking and my mouth was watering by the time it was done. I added some fennel to the dish and left the carrots and celery in bigger chunks so I didn't have to make a separate veggie. Then served some noodles with it. It's a lovely rich and filling dish and the meat just falls off the bone. And be sure to use a good red wine...one that you would be happy drinking with your dinner. 

Lamb Shanks in Red Wine
Adapted From The Gourmet Cookbook





Ingredients:

6 lamb shanks
flour
salt and pepper
3 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, split
2 Tablespoons warm brandy
3 cups red wine
3 cups water
1/2 cup diced carrots ( I cut the carrots in 3 inch pieces)
1 fennel bulb, quartered
1/2 cup diced celery  (I cut the celery in 3 inch chunks)
1 cup chopped onion
1 bay leaf
pinch thyme

Method:

Roll the shanks in flour and sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano. Melt the butter in the olive oil and brown the garlic along with the shanks in a large oven proof casserole. Remove from stove and add the warm brandy. Ignite. Be careful! When flame is out add the other ingredients and bake in a 350 oven for 2 hours. Correct seasonings. You can make a little gravy if you like....just mix flour and butter together and add to the sauce to thicken, then top off with a squeeze of lemon juice.



P.S. I have a guest post up over at Lazaro Cooks! Be sure to check it out.

55 comments:

  1. Brab, I make a very similar dish with lamb shanks. So hearty and good!

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  2. I've never made lamb shanks, only veal. The recipe sounds wonderful. Another one bookmarked!

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  3. Lamb shanks are one of our favorite cold weather treats. I have that two volume set of cookbooks--not sure of the date but got mine in the late 1980s--and you prompted me to pull them out and try this recipe and others.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. Ohh...Barbara...this meal is so up my alley. This one I have to have my family try since they also love lamb...especially the one we gratefully have here in Quebec. The fennel addition for me is perfecto!
    Just the other day I made my 'osso bucco' with pork shanks instead of our usual veal...and OMG...fabulous results...can't wait to post it ;O)

    Now, I'm excited to finish off that Red wine bottle I had opened for my other recipe the other day.

    Ciao for now and have a lovely day,
    Claudia

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  5. I have been eating nothing but vegetables since Friday. Husband and I are on a health kick, but Friday is our 'day off'. I think we will be having lamb shanks for tea!

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  6. Oh my, would I love this meal! This is similar to the way my mother used to prepare lamb shanks. Bookmarked!

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  7. This lam look really appetizer, look nice Barbara, gloria

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  8. One of my favourite meals!

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  9. A wonderful meal! I am drooling...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  10. Hi Barb,
    we love lamb shanks too, they are so easy to make in the slow cooker.
    Haven't ever tried them with noodles though, usually plain old mashed potatoes, next time I'll serve noodles for a change.

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  11. Looks delicious! A plate of comfort food, I love lamb!

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  12. Lamb is a Greek staple. It is cooked at least once every couple of weeks in most of Greek homes. This version is mouthwatering.

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  13. My hubby is a huge fan of lamb and this is right up his alley! Slow-cooked until tender and falling off the bone is the best way to go. Love your addition of fennel, Barb!

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  14. I love lamb too. Your lamb shanks look excellent; hearty and comforting. I look forward to the kidneys recipe. Have a great day.

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  15. oh, my! just looking at your pics reminds me of what my mom used to make us ... i can smell the house now. great post, Barbara. (but, she never put kidneys on our toast!)

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  16. I love lamb shanks! This dish looks so good, so hearty and homey, but kind of decadent at the same time. Looks like a dish I could really sink my teeth into!
    *kisses* HH

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  17. I'm all but drooling. I love lamb. But I wonder how my sensitivity to tannins works with cooking with red wine?

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  18. You know, I don't know if I've had lamb in anything other than gyro meat.

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  19. We love lamb too and lamb shanks are perfect for the cold weather. I make a similar recipe (sans fennel) and it's one of our favorites. I'll be sure to add fennel next time to mine. Like the brandy too. Everything is better with brandy.

    Outstanding photos Barbara. Stay warm. It's supposed to be really cold tonight in south Florida.
    Sam

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  20. this is such a drool worthy dish!!

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  21. We're having weather that's calling for a long braised dish right now. A slow-cooked dish with a savory red wine sauce and those chunky vegetables cooked in it are calling my name!

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  22. The perfect dish to combat this freezing snowstorm! I usually make it with beef chunks but I have a feeling lamb is going to make it much better ;)

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  23. Oh the smell, the smell!

    I can smell it all the way out here!

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  24. what a fantastic meal, the flavors must have been so rich and delicious!

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  25. I wish I could say I have tried lamb...but I have not...maybe one day...snowy hugs my friend. xoxo

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  26. I didn't grow up eating lamb, and I just don't fix it often, probably because I don't really know what to do with it. Hubby loves it though, and would be ecstatic if I surprised him with this. :)

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  27. Lamb is far and above my favorite meat and yet I"m still so new to it that I've never prepared a lamb shank before! This version looks fantastically delicious!

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  28. A beautiful color on that lamb shank! It sounds wonderfully tender and delicious! Perfect to make in the wintertime for sure!

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  29. This is one of those comfort foods that I need right now after being stuck in the house for four days straight. YUM!

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  30. Just found you through Lazaro and I am now a follower. Can't wait to see all your posts.

    Norma
    Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

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  31. wow. even having never tasted lamb myself, i can state with certainty that this'd be one heck of a delicious dish. amazing picture, barbara!

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  32. Beautifully prepared dish :)

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  33. I miss lamb meat! Haven't had it for a very long time. Hope I can join you for this. haha... Do you mind? Hope you're having a terrific day.
    Cheers, Kristy

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  34. I love lamb too, but it's hard to find at the local grocery store. I usually serve it with couscous.

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  35. My ex's mother gave me those books and they are great! Now that I do this blog, I know exactly why they didn't have pictures, aside from the prohibitive cost of color... after testing who has the energy or time for perfect pictures!!! I have never made lamb shanks, can you believe it??? You are inspiring me completely. Wonderful dish.

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  36. Your lamb looks wonderful! I must admit, I'm one of those people who loves having photos with the recipe. I love seeing what the finished product will (or should) look like!

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  37. This looks amazing! I love lamb...and red wine :)

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  38. Thanks Barbara for your comment on my video! Same generation or not we can be BFF's!!!!
    Make sure your dont throw away any of this lamb...I might dig it out of the trash to eat it!

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  39. wow this looks amazing we also love lamb, bet your kids loved you for making this for them :-)

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  40. Can you believe I have never made lamb shanks?? What's my problem? These look absolutely divine. Perfect for cold weather too.

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  41. Your photo sold me on this dish. Vanja hates and detests lamb (I love it), yet cannot imagine a negative response to a dish looking this delectable. It has clearly had a LOT of love worked into it. Lucky family!!!
    :)
    Valerie

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  42. This sounds wonderful, Barbara! The only lamb I never make are grilled lamb chops or rack. I've never made lamb shanks before but this recipe could be the one to change that. How wonderful that your leg of lamb recipe made it into Savor the Moment!

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  43. Hey Barbara, when I was a meat eater, lamb was my favorite meat-hands down! And lamb shank slow cooked in red wine can barely be beat-not in my mind at least (smile). Yours looks perfect. It really does. *Vegetarian Envy*!!!
    p.s. thanks for your comment on my oatmeal post:-)

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  44. These really look delicious and it has been an age since I made Lamb shanks. I normally use a recipe from the New York Times that is similar to this but does not use carrots in this quantity. I'll give yours a try next time I buy shanks. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  45. I love lamb shanks too; so versatile as well. Can be made with couscous or as a soup or like a stew the way you did it.

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  46. My mouth is watering. It sounds (and looks) so delicious. I've never cooked lamb before but now you've got me thinking about it. :)

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  47. Everytime u write about a cook book , i want it too:-)
    I loveee cook books with pics :-) my oldest book , when i never had a collection has lodsa stunning pics:-)
    The shanks are lovely , the wine adds to the winter recipe, actually i wouldn mind it whole year thru.
    SO heartily delicious!
    Hoppn by ur wonderful guest post!

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  48. Oh you really got me this time, Barbara. I live in no lamb land. The only time I can truly enjoy a dish of lamb is if I go out to eat (not a popular past time in cental pa) OR get invited to dinner, hint, hint...

    Thanks for sharing...I may have a copy of those two Gourmet books here. I must check...

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  49. I think I've only had lamb once in my life, sadly. I must say, though, this looks like osso bucco, which we LOVE. Mmmmmm. And yes! Thank you for the great veggie recipes! Just what I need after the holidays.

    Keep warm!

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  50. a very comfy stew !! Cheers de Paris Pierre

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  51. Hi Barbara!

    Your dish touches my heart because I am basically (like my father) a stew girl..I mean, this is the reason why I love winter! for all these hearty dishes, with a lot of bread, for the sauce..Yes, then my tummy grows a bit, but I am so happy!! and when I'm happy, I laugh, make jokes, and then, you feel that people love being at your side...(well, then I go to the gym, though!)
    A huge kiss,
    Cristina

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  52. Barbara, this is my favorite kind of winter food--slow cooked and tender. Gorgeous.

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  53. Lamb is probably my favorite meat, and living with a vegetarian does not afford me the chance to prepare a gorgeous dish like yours very often.

    an aside--a friend recently prepared lamb shanks using white wine instead of red---she was pleased with the lighter notes that it brought to the lamb, and thought it was very good, for a little change.

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  54. Lamb shanks in red wine WITH a glass of red wine. Now, we're talking the ultimate meal. ;)

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