Braised in Beer Lamb Shanks
Braised in Beer Lamb Shanks
4 Lamb shanks, a pound each
Salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cup Vegetable oil
12 Pearl onions, the size of golf balls, peeled
2 large Carrots, peeled and diced large
1 large Tomato, cored and finely diced
2 tbsp Garlic, minced
1 cup Rasins
3 12 oz. bottles Beer, dark
1 pint Meat stock
1/2 cup Sage, fresh - finely chopped
Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle lamb shanks with salt and pepper. In a large oven proof saute pan or other ovenproof pan with a lid, heat the oil over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add shanks and sear on all sides, 3-5 minutes a side. Remove from pan; set aside.
Drain all but about 2 tbsp of the oil from the pan. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and carrots and saute, stirring occasionally and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until onions are lightly browned, 5-7 minutes. Add the tomato, garlic, and rasins, and saute, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the beer, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the stock, turn heat to medium and bring to a boil. Add the lamb shanks, cover the pan and braise in preheated oven until the shanks are very tender, 60 to 80 minutes. Remove the shanks from the pan, skimming any grease from the sauce. If the sauce is not as thick as you like, place back on the burner over high heat and reduce to desired consistency. Stir in the sage, season to taste with salt and pepper, return the shanks to the sauce and serve.