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Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks With Sweet Potato Polenta

Although I never thought of myself as someone who would enjoy using a slow cooker, since I bought mine a year ago I have completely fallen in love with it. When I know I will have a busy day coming up, I try and plan a slow cooker meal that I can assemble in the morning, turn on, and have ready by dinner.

Shanks of any variety, whether they are lamb, veal, or pork are great cooked in a slow cooker as this type of meat lends itself perfectly to slow braising. After 6 hours in the slow cooker, the meat literally falls right off the bone.

Although you could add carrots, mushrooms or celery to this dish, I decided to keep it simple, and chose to use just fennel and onions instead. To serve my dish, I made a pot of quick cooking polenta flavored with sweet potatoes and which complimented the rich flavors of the shanks perfectly.

When serving rich, braised meats, a topping that is made from combining parsley, lemon zest, and garlic called gremolata really brings the flavors of this dish together.

Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele 

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks With Sweet Potato Polenta

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks With Sweet Potato Polenta

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Red Onions, Peeled And Cut Into Wedges
  • 2 Fennel Bulbs, Trimmed, Cored & Cut Into Wedges
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, Peeled & Sliced
  • 1 Cup Chopped Tomatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 Teaspoon Chopped Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 4 Meaty Lamb Shanks, Trimmed
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 Cup White Wine

Sweet Potato Polenta:

  • 1 Cup Quick Or Instant Polenta
  • 2 Cups Mashed, Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Fresh Sage
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 3 Cups Vegetable or Chicken Broth
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter

Gremolata Topping:

  • 3/4 Cup Fresh Parsley Leaves
  • Zest From 1 Lemon
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, Peeled & Chopped

Instructions

  1. Put the onion, fennel, garlic, broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf in a slow cooker and stir to mix well.
  2. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until hot, then add the shanks and brown well on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
  4. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  5. Remove the sauté pan from the heat, pour in the wine and return to medium-high heat.
  6. Bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom, then add the wine to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours according to the manufacturers instructions.
  7. To make the gremolata topping, place the parsley, lemon zest, and garlic on a cutting board, and use a sharp knife to finely mince.
  8. Remove the bay leaf from the cooking liquid.
  9. Remove the lamb shanks to a heated platter, and increase the heat to high for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce. (Alternatively, use a hand wand to blend the vegetables into the sauce and thicken.)
  10. In a pot, mix the polenta with the broth, mashed sweet potatoes, sage, salt and pepper and cook until tender following manufacture's directions.
  11. Once cooked, stir the butter into the polenta.
  12. Spoon the polenta onto four individual plates, then top with lamb shanks, sauce and vegetables, and serve immediately topped with a spoonful of gremolata.

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2 Comments

  1. Over Easter weekend, the idea of roasting lamb was brought up. Unfortunately, due to timing we weren’t able to get one, but the thought is still exciting to me. Since I’ve never bought lamb before, can you give me any tips on what to look for?

  2. MMMMMMMM! I’m going to make this next week! Other than a tomato and onion salad can anyone recommend a side, salad or dessert pairing?

    Lately I’ve realized how lacking I am in experience on how to combine dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal. I read that with a fatty meal you want something to cut the fat or brighten the palette thus the tomato salad? Why am I thinking fig. Wishing I had a fig tree…..

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