Lamb Shanks with Creamy Mashed Potatoes,

Ingredients:

For the lamb shanks:

3-4 lamb shanks (about 1.5-2 pounds), trimmed of excess fat

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, chopped

5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced

½ tablespoon dried or fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon ground coriander

3 ounces tomato paste

3 bay leaves

3 cups beef broth

1 cup red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For the creamy mashed potatoes:

2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and cubed

Salt, to taste

60g (about 4 tablespoons) butter, cut into pieces

¼ cup milk

225g grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Sear the lamb shanks:

Season the lamb shanks with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, sear the lamb shanks on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.

Sauté the vegetables:

In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions become translucent.

Add rosemary and ground coriander; sauté for an additional minute.

Deglaze and build the braising liquid:

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes until slightly reduced.

Add the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

Braise the lamb shanks:

Return the lamb shanks to the pot, ensuring they’re submerged in the liquid.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone.

Prepare the mashed potatoes:

About 30 minutes before the lamb is done, cook the potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Drain and mash the potatoes.

Stir in the butter and milk until creamy. Season with salt to taste. For extra richness, mix in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.

Serve:

Place a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes on each plate.

Top with a braised lamb shank and spoon over some of the rich sauce.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes Servings: 4 Calories per Serving: Approximately 600 kcal