Betsy and Becca’s No Garlic Happy Hobbit Braised Lamb Shanks

 By Betsy Vail and Becca Marvail 03/10/2024

Ingredients:

• 5 lamb shanks
• Salt
• Pepper
• ½ c olive oil
• ½ large yellow onion, cut into wedges
• 8 – 20 oz. cremini mushrooms, quartered (to taste)
• 16 oz. bag of baby carrots (to taste)
• 2 c beef broth 
• ¼ c brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 Tbs tomato paste (heaping tablespoons are ok)
• 2 c cabernet sauvignon wine
• 1/8 c sweet balsamic vinegar 
• 1 tsp of fresh rosemary (chopped) (to taste)
• 2-3 tsp onion powder (to taste)
• ½ c butter 
• ½ c flour 
• Flat leaf parsley (for garnish)
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Add olive oil to a large pot and heat to medium high. Working in batches to avoid crowding, sear the lamb until browned on each side. Be sure to season each side of the lamb with salt and pepper. Set the lamb aside on a platter as they’re completed.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, butter, and onion powder until it’s combined into a beurre manie paste. 
4. Turn the heat down to medium. In the large pot previously used for searing the lamb, sauté the onions, quartered mushrooms, and carrots in the remaining oil until the onions are slightly translucent.
5. Add the broth, brown sugar, bay leaves, tomato paste, cabernet sauvignon wine, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, and beurre manie to the pot. Stir frequently and bring to a simmer. 
6. Return the lamb to the pot and cover with the lid. 
7. Bake at 375 F for 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
8. Allow the pot to rest for about 10 - 15 minutes. 
9. While the pot is resting, spoon away liquefied oil on the surface. If time permits, allow the pot to cool then store in the refrigerator overnight. Once the fat solidifies on the surface, spoon away and discard the fat then reheat the pot. Taste and adjust flavors if needed. Serve the lamb and sauce over bubble and squeak, mashed potatoes, noodles, or creamy cooked polenta,.
10. Garnish with parsley and enjoy this wonderful treat with your fellow hobbits and favorite wizard! 
    
    

Creative Considerations:

1. Add allspice
2. Use maple syrup instead of sugar
3. Use vegetables of your choice like diced parsnips, celeriac, or turnips.
4. Add fruit such as prunes, apricots, figs, or pomegranate arils. 

Yum