These succulent shanks of lamb are subtly flavored with coconut milk and Thai spices and baked until meltingly tender.
Serves 4
4 lamb shanks
1 x 14 oz can coconut milk
1 tbsp vegetable oil
18 fl oz vegetable, lamb or chicken stock
2 large onions, finfely chopped
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp Thai green curry paste
salt and pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh lemon grass
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
To garnish
fresh cilantro leaves or finely sliced chili
finely sliced scallions or wedges of lemon
Preheat the oven to 400 F
Place the lamb shanks in a roasting tin and roast for 40 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking.
Lift out the lamb shanks, drain off all the fat, then transfer to a casserole dish or Dutch oven in which they fit snugly.
Lower the oven temperature to 350 F.
Heat the oil in another pan, add the onions and saute until light golden.
Add the curry paste, lemon grass, cumin and coriander and stir fry for 1 minute.
Add the coconut milk, stock and chopped fresh cilantro.
Pour this mixture over the lamb shanks, cover and cook in the oven for 2.5 hours until the meat is very tender.
Check the seasoning of the sauce.
To serve, place each lamb shank in a warmed shallow serving bowl.
Spoon over some of the sauce and scatter with fresh cilantro leaves and any other garnish you fancy.
Serve with Thai jasmine rice and a steamed green vegetable such as bok choi.