Basque Lamb Shanks Recipes

BASQUE LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Brown the shanks in a Dutch oven in 2 tbsp oil, remove shanks.
• Add 4 cloves of garlic and the mushrooms, brown well.
• Return shanks to the pot, add wine and the broth.
• Cook covered, in a 350F oven for about 2 hours (add more broth if needed) until the meat falls off the bone.
• Meanwhile prepare your beans, if starting from scratch boil the beans with 4 cloves of garlic until they are tender, if using canned bring them to a boil with the garlic and let them steep.
• Remove the garlic from the beans.
• Remove bones from the shanks.
• Add beans to the meat and heat through.
• Meanwhile prepare the sauce combining 4 cloves of minced garlic,salad oil, parsley and vineger, You may warm the sauce or have it at room temp.
• Serve the sauce on the side.

BASQUE LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt in a zip-lock plastic bag.
• One at a time, add the lamb shanks and shake until evenly coated.
• Place a large saute pan over med-high heat and add the oil.
• Add the lamb and cook, turning, for 15-20 minutes, until browned on all sides.
• Transfer lamb to the slow cooker.
• Add in the beans, garlic, stock, wine, and tomatoes.
• Cover and cook on LOW for about 5 hours.
• Add in the squash and cook on LOW for another 3 hours, until the lamb and squash are very tender.
• Just before serving, stir in the olives and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper.

BASQUE LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt in a resealable plastic bag. One at a time, add the lamb shanks and shake until evenly coated.
• Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the lamb and cook, turning, for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned on all sides.
• Transfer the lamb to the slow cooker. Add the beans, garlic, water, wine, and tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours. Add the squash and cook on low for another 3 hours, until the lamb and squash are very tender. (In a pinch, the squash can be added at the beginning of cooking and left in the entire time.)
• Just before serving, stir in the olives and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper.

LEG OF LAMB, BASQUE-STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Make slits all over lamb plentiful and deep enough to insert garlic clove slices then insert them. Season entire leg with salt and pepper, and rub with flour. Place in roasting pan and pour over melted bacon drippings. Roast in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes on each side. Add water to pan, cover, reduce heat to 300°F, and cook slowly for 4-5 hours. Roast will be well done.
• The Basque often add peeled, quartered potatoes during the last 45 minutes of cooking.