Braised lamb shanks is a bistro favorite, where comfort food soothes the senses. Deep rich flavor is achieved with long, low cooking of the lamb with the chunky vegetables, sweet vermouth and toasted mustard seed.

Makes 4 servings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Nutritional Information

For 1 serving
Calories: 628
Sodium: 843mg
Fat: 29g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Cholesterol: 158mg
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 50g

Braised Lamb Shanks with Mustard, Fennel and Sweet Vermouth

Ingredients

2 cups Kitchen Basics® Beef Stock
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Mustard Seed, Yellow
1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cardamom, Ground
1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Coriander Seed, Ground
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Black Pepper, Coarse Grind
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Nutmeg, Ground
1/2 cup flour
4 lamb shanks (12 to 16 ounces each)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 carrots, cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
1 bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup sweet vermouth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix stock and tomatoes in medium bowl. Heat 5-quart Dutch oven or oven-proof saucepot on medium heat. Add mustard seed; cook and stir 1 minute or until fragrant. Immediately pour out of hot pan to avoid over-toasting. Coarsely crush seeds using a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle. Add to stock mixture. Set aside.

2. Mix cardamom, coriander, sea salt, pepper and nutmeg in small bowl. Mix 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture with flour in shallow dish. Reserve remaining spice mixture. Coat lamb shanks evenly with flour mixture. Reserve remaining flour mixture.

3. Heat oil in same Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add lamb shanks; brown on all sides. Remove from pan. Add carrots, fennel, onion and garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture. Cook and stir until well blended. Add vermouth, stirring to loosen browned bits in bottom of pan. Return lamb shanks to pan. Stir in stock and reserved spice mixtures. Bring to boil. Cover.

4. Braise in oven 2 hours or until lamb shanks and vegetables are tender.