Lamb & Mutton
Moroccan Style Lamb Shanks
Description
Red wine, tomatoes, harissa, almonds, mint, and cilantro give these slow-braised lamb shanks lots of bright flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 meaty lamb shanks (about 1 1/4 pounds each)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon harissa or other chile paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
- 2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, minced
- One 10-ounce box instant couscous
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup dried currants
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large enameled cast-iron casserole. Season the shanks with salt and pepper. Add them to the casserole, 2 at a time, and cook over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and wipe out the casserole.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the casserole. Add the onion, carrots and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg and cook, stirring until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and harissa and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and boil until reduced to a thick syrup, about 4 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and 1 cup of the chicken stock to the casserole. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Nestle the lamb shanks in the liquid. Cover tightly and braise in the oven for about 3 hours, basting occasionally, until the meat is almost falling off the bone. Transfer the shanks to a platter and cover with foil. Leave the oven on.
- Spread the almonds in a pie pan or baking sheet in an even layer and toast for about 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Strain the sauce into a bowl, pressing on the vegetables; skim any fat. Return the sauce to the casserole and boil over high heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Return the vegetables and lamb to the sauce and keep warm.
- Combine the mint with the cilantro and almonds in a small bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the shallot and cook over moderately high heat until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 cup of chicken stock, the water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the currants. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in half of the herb-almond mixture.
- Mound the couscous in the center of a large platter. Arrange the lamb shanks around the couscous and spoon the sauce on top. Sprinkle with the remaining herb-almond mixture and serve.
