Nigella Aromatic Lamb Shank Stew

This delicious Aromatic Lamb Shank Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for a cozy dinner. With tender lamb shanks, warm spices like cinnamon and turmeric, and a rich sauce, it’s a meal that’s both comforting and aromatic. Easy to make with simple ingredients, this dish can be tailored to suit your taste, making it a great choice for any occasion.

Ingredients Needed:

For the Stew:

• 8 lamb shanks
• 2 onions
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 sprinkling of salt
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon dried chilli flakes
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated)
• black pepper
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons marsala
• 6 tablespoons red lentils
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil (or groundnut oil)

How To Make Aromatic Lamb Shank Stew?

1. Brown the Lamb Shanks: Heat 45 ml of vegetable oil in a large, wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Brown the lamb shanks in batches, then transfer them to a roasting tin or suitable dish.
2. Cook the Onions and Garlic: Peel and chop the onions and garlic finely or process them in a food processor. Add the remaining oil to the pan and cook the onion-garlic mixture over medium heat until soft, adding a pinch of salt to prevent burning.
3. Add Spices and Honey: Stir in the turmeric, ground ginger, dried chili flakes, cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg. Season with black pepper. Stir again and add the honey, soy sauce, and Marsala wine.
4. Simmer the Lamb: Return the lamb shanks to the pan. Add cold water until the shanks are nearly covered, bring to a boil, then cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the lamb is tender.
5. Cook the Lentils: Add the red lentils and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, until the lentils have softened into the sauce and the juices have thickened slightly.
6. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
7. Toast the Nuts: Toast the pistachios or almonds in a dry frying pan for a few minutes until lightly golden.
8. Serve: Sprinkle the toasted nuts over the stew when serving.

Recipe Tips:

• Brown the Lamb Well: Make sure to brown the lamb shanks on all sides. This adds rich flavor to the stew and helps lock in moisture, making the meat more tender.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Simmer the stew gently for 1 to 1½ hours. Slow cooking ensures the lamb becomes tender and the flavors blend perfectly.
• Add Lentils Towards the End: Add the red lentils in the last 20 minutes of cooking. This gives them enough time to soften without overcooking and breaking apart.
• Adjust the Sweetness: If the stew feels too sweet, add a pinch of salt or a dash of soy sauce to balance the flavors.
• Toast the Nuts: Toasting the pistachios (or almonds) before sprinkling them on top enhances their flavor and gives the dish a nice crunch.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the stew cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the stew for up to 3 months.
• On The Stove: Reheat the stew on low-medium heat in a saucepan for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 432 kcal
• Total Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Potassium: 600mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 9.6g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 34g

Try More Nigella  Lawson Recipes:

• Nigella Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
• Nigella Lamb Ribs Recipe
• Nigella Moroccan Lamb Shanks ​Recipe ​