Slow-Cooker Braised Lamb Shanks

Ingredients

• •1 yellow onion, diced
• •2 celery stalks, diced
• •2 carrots, peeled and diced
• •3 garlic cloves, crushed
• •2 cups chicken stock
• •1 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
• •2 Tbs. tomato paste
• •1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• •1 bay leaf
• •4 lamb shanks, external fat trimmed
• •Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• •2 Tbs. olive oil
• •1 cup red wine

Steps

1. 1Put the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf in a slow cooker and stir to combine.
2. 2Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until nearly smoking. Add the shanks and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. 3Remove the sauté pan from the heat, pour in the wine and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Add the wine to the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 6 hours according to the manufacturers instructions. Transfer the lamb shanks to a large serving dish.
4. 4Remove the bay leaf from the cooking liquid. Using a blender or stick blender, puree the liquids and solids until smooth. Pour some of the sauce over the shanks and pass the rest alongside.