Braised Lamb Shank with Provencal Spices
David Scott Allen · Lamb · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteDriving through the Provencal countryside in the spring is defined by random “slam-on-the-brakes” encounters. Between arresting seas of red poppies and flocks of sheep and goats in the middle of the road (when you least expect it), the season might be telling you to slow down.
Sheep (and goats) in Provence roam the fields in the early spring and late fall, the summer months the herds are transported to higher, cooler ground for grazing. When you order lamb in Provence you can be sure it is local. David’s dish from Cocoa & Lavender is a delicious combination of tender braised lamb and the wild herbs of Provence.
Provençal Braised Lamb Shank
A delicious slow roasted braised lamb stew with fresh herbs and sweet Hungarian paprika, served over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika
- 4 Lamb shanks about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds each
- to taste sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes divided
- zest of 1 orange
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 sprigs fresh tyme
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 fresh bay leaves
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup oil-cured olives pitted and halved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix flour and paprika on a large, flat plate.
- Season lamb shanks generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Dredge lamb shanks in flour-paprika and set on a plate.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large paella or other frying pan with a tight-fitting ovenproof cover.
- When the oil is shimmering and easily coats the bottom of the pan, add the shanks and brown on each side until golden - about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Remove shanks from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Add the mirepoix - onions, carrot, and celery - and sauté for about 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Add wine, 1 cup crushed tomatoes, and citrus zests to the pan. Stir, and bring to a simmer; cook about 5 minutes, until somewhat thickened.
- Meanwhile, tie together thyme sprigs, rosemary and bay leaves to make a bouquet garni.
- Add to the pan along with the stock. Stir, and bring to a simmer.
- Add lamb shanks, cover the pan, and place in the oven. Braise (covered) for about 3 hours, turning shanks every half hour, until lamb is completely tender.
- After 2 1/2 hours, add the pitted olives.
- After the three hours, remove lamb shanks to a warmed plate and cover with foil.
- Remove bouquet garni and discard.
- Bring pan with sauce to a simmer. Skim off as much fat as possible.
- Add remaining 1 cup crushed tomatoes and reduce heat until sauce thickens.
- Serve lamb shanks on polenta or mashed potatoes with a good helping of the sauce on top.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Note: In France, ask your butcher for becquets d'agneau (also known as souris d'agneau)
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Full day Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille: Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas & Séguret
Experience a full day of wine tasting and cultural exploration on this enchanting wine tour. Discover the rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-class wines of the Southern Rhone Valley as you visit the picturesque towns of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Séguret.
Book this ExperienceLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Garlic is in the Air It Must be Aioli TimeRelated Provence Articles
Tomato Tart Tatin and Rosé from Provence
July 1, 2016
Tomato Tarte Tatin starter was so gorgeous on the eye that everyone who came to our Mirabeau lunch was already talking about it before they even sat down. It combines all the delicious flavours of Provence in a super-concentrated way…
Provencal Lamb Stew Daube with White Wine
June 26, 2019
A daube refers to a slow-cooked meat stew. The ingredients always include wine, in this case, a white, herbs found in Provence, and usually lamb. Although, daube can easily be prepared with beef or even pork..…
This Tomato Pesto Tart is Simply Delicious
May 13, 2020
It’s a warm day in Provence and the tomatoes are fresh, but you need a recipe for lunch. Well, chef, Anne Challier has the answer with her Tomato Pesto Tart. There are only a few ingredients and the result is delicious. Serve with a green salad, and perhaps a glass of rosé and you have …
A Perfectly French Lunch Tarte aux Tomates
June 30, 2017
Celebrate summer with this light and savoury tart, highlighting the season’s best tomatoes. David made the Tarte aux Tomates to celebrate a summer lunch on July 14th – Bastille Day. Once you have tasted this perfect combination of summer produce with mustard and cheese, you will want to make it repeatedly. This tomato tart is very …
No Comment