Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 lamb shanks, 1/2 pound each
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 3 ribs celery, and cut into large dice
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into large dice
  • 2 anchovy fillets
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 2 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 cup minced parsley leaves

Method

  • Heat the oil in a heavy-bottom saucepan.
  • Add the lamb shanks and sear over medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
  • Remove and set aside.
  • Add the onion and the garlic.
  • Saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the wine, increase the heat to high and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients, except the parsley.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Return the shanks to the saucepan.
  • Partly cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the meat falls off the bone, about 3 hours.
  • Remove the bay leaf.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Divide the shanks among 4 plates.
  • Ladle the sauce over each shank.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve immediately with white bean puree (recipe below).