Garlic Lovers’ Greek Lamb Shanks Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 2 hours
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
🥩 Servings: 2
Description:
Indulge in the rich flavors of Greek cuisine with these succulent Garlic Lovers’ Greek Lamb Shanks. Perfect for cooler weather, this dish boasts the tantalizing combination of mint, oregano, and garlic, making it a delightful option for a cozy dinner at home. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and freezes well, making it ideal for meal prep.
Ingredients:
- 2 lamb shanks
- 1 head of garlic
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried mint
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Trim most visible fat from lamb shanks. |
| 2 | Cut slits approximately 1/2 inch wide and deep all over the lamb shanks, maximizing the surface area for flavor. |
| 3 | Stuff garlic cloves into the slits, adjusting the size of the slits as needed to accommodate the garlic. |
| 4 | Drizzle or rub extra virgin olive oil over the lamb shanks, ensuring that the oil penetrates into the slits with the garlic. |
| 5 | Optionally, prepare the lamb shanks in advance up to this point. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. |
| 6 | Place the lamb shanks in a broiler-safe pan, such as a low rack in a Pyrex dish, and broil on both sides until the meat sizzles and browns, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. |
| 7 | Remove the lamb shanks from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C). |
| 8 | Pour the red wine over the lamb shanks, ensuring even distribution. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon each of dried mint and dried oregano over both sides of each lamb shank. |
| 9 | Lightly season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. |
| 10 | Cover the pan with aluminum foil and return it to the oven. Bake for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting the lamb shanks every 40 minutes or as needed. |
| 11 | Once cooked, allow the lamb shanks to rest. Optionally, pour the drippings into a small pan and boil until slightly thickened to serve alongside the lamb. |
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these Garlic Lovers’ Greek Lamb Shanks with a tangy green salad dressed with a simple lemon, garlic, and olive oil dressing.
- Accompany with crusty bread, red wine, and perhaps a side of pasta topped with Parmesan or Mizithra cheese for a satisfying meal.
- Opa! Enjoy the rich and robust flavors of Greek cuisine right at your dinner table.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 737.4
- Total Fat: 33.9g
- Saturated Fat: 13.8g
- Cholesterol: 242.1mg
- Sodium: 189.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 15.1g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 73.6g
Keywords:
Meat, Greek, European, Winter, Weeknight, Roast, Broil/Grill, Oven, Less than 4 Hours
Tips:
- For additional depth of flavor, consider marinating the lamb shanks in the wine and herb mixture overnight before cooking.
- To make the dish more budget-friendly, you can use dried herbs instead of fresh ones.
- Don’t discard the leftover bones and scraps after enjoying the lamb shanks; they can be used to make a flavorful stock for soups or sauces.
