pat's Recipe

Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks and Tomatoes

Category: Lamb

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
coarse salt and ground pepper
5 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
5 large tomatoes (about 4 1/2 pounds total)
coarsely chopped, or 2 cans (28 oz each)
plus 1 can (15 ounces) whole peeled
tomatoes
4 lamb shanks (about 4 lbs total)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes (if using canned, break them up) and cook until they break down, 6 to 8 minutes.
Place lamb shanks in pot in a single layer so each shank is covered by sauce. Bring to a boil, cover, then place pot in oven. Cook until meat is very tender and falling off bones, about 3 1/2 hours. Skim fat from cooking liquid and season lamb with salt and pepper. Serve lamb with sauce.

serves 4