Braised American Lamb Shanks with Pomegranate and Fennel

Recipe provided by | FEASTING AT HOME

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Servings: 6 Preparation time: 2-1/2 hours Cook time: 2 hours


INGREDIENTS

6 American Lamb shanks, 1 pound each

salt and ground pepper

2 tablespoons oil

2 large onions, cut into wedges, or 2 pounds pearl onions (in the freezer section of your grocery store)

6 garlic cloves, peeled and whole

2 large fennel bulbs

5 rosemary sprigs or 3 bay leaves

One 750-milliliter bottle ruby port

3 cups chicken or beef stock

1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds

1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups pomegranate juice

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the top inch of the meat down, releasing it from the bone. Generously salt and pepper the lamb shanks on all sides.

Heat oil in an extra-large, heavy-bottom Dutch oven. Working in batches, brown the shanks on all sides over medium-high heat. Take your time and do this well. Set the shanks aside.

Lower heat to medium, add onions, garlic,  fennel bulbs, and herbs to the same pan. Add port and stock, scraping up the browned bits and bring to a simmer. Place the shanks back in the liquid, meaty side down, bring to a boil, cover well, and place the Dutch oven, covered, in a 350°F for 1.5 hours.

In a small pot, reduce the pomegranate juice by half, simmering on medium heat, uncovered until it reduces to down to 1 cup, about 20 minutes. When shanks are tender, add 1 cup of the strained shanks cooking liquid to the remaining pomegranate juice. Plate the shanks and drizzle a little pomegranate sauce over the top, garnishing with fresh pomegranate seeds.

Tip: This dish pairs really well with a soft, creamy, Parmesan polenta. The shanks can be cooked ahead, refrigerated in the cooking liquid, then reheated, as well as the sauce.