Braised Lamb Shanks with Artichokes
- 4 lamb shanks (3 3/4 pounds), trimmed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 small onions, chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 large artichokes
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 cup chopped fresh dill
- Pat shanks dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a deep 12-inch heavy enameled casserole over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Brown shanks on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.
- Add remaining oil to casserole and saute onions, stirring frequently, until softened and beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Return shanks to casserole and add broth.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 1 hour.
- While shanks cook, combine 4 cups cold water and 1/4 cup lemon juice in a large bowl.
- Then, working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard.
- (Do not cut off stems.)
- Discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and yellow at base.
- Cut off top leaves about 1 to 1 1/4 inches from top.
- Trim fibrous parts from base and stem of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem.
- Cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section, then trim outer green fibrous part from stem.
- As it is trimmed, rub artichoke all over with lemon halves.
- Cut artichokes in half lengthwise and remove fuzzy center and any purple leaves.
- Place in bowl with water and lemon juice.
- Drain artichokes and add to shanks with 1/2 cup dill and remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- Simmer, covered, until meat and artichokes are tender, about 40 minutes.
- Transfer shanks and artichokes to a deep serving dish and keep warm, covered.
- Skim fat from sauce in casserole and boil until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
- Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over lamb and artichokes.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup dill.
lamb shanks, olive oil, onions, chicken broth, lemon juice, artichokes, lemon, dill
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/braised-lamb-shanks-with-artichokes-103317 (may not work)