Beer-Braised Lamb Shanks

Ingredients

• 2 lambs shanks
• 1 teaspoon salt , divided, or to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion , chopped
• 2 large carrots , cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large stalk celery , cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic , finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 can or bottle beer , 12 fluid ounce
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Season lamb shanks with salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Heat olive oil in a deep-sided pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb and cook, turning as needed, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and reduce heat to medium.

3. 3

   Place chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in the pan. Season with a large pinch of salt. Cook and stir until vegetable juices start to come out, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to coat, about 1 minute. Pour in beer and stir in rosemary. Raise heat to high and bring sauce mixture to a simmer.

4. 4

   Toss lamb shanks in with the sauce mixture. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until lamb is nearly fork-tender, flipping lamb after 1 hour, about 2 hours. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, at least 30 minutes. Refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.

5. 5

   Skim the fat off the top of the sauce, if desired. Cover and bring lamb to a simmer over low heat. Flip and continue simmering until meat is fork-tender and nearly falling off the bone, about 45 minutes. Place lamb shanks in a bowl to keep warm.

6. 6

   Bring sauce to a boil over high heat. Boil until reduced by half but not too thick, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Plate the lamb shanks and spoon sauce on top.