BRAISED SICILIAN LAMB SHANKS AND PASTA

BRAISED SICILIAN LAMB SHANKS AND PASTA image

Yield 4 - 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 to 4 lamb shanks (ask the meat person to cut them in half)
3 to ? cloves of sliced garlic.
olive oil to cover the bottom of a large frying pan.
1/2 coarsely chopped onion.
1/3 green, red or both sweet peppers coarsely sliced or chopped.
1 - 2 stalks celery - coarsely sliced/chopped.
4" branch fresh/stripped (or 1T dried) rosemary.
1 big branch chopped fresh (or 1T dried) parsley and/or Italian seasoning to your taste.
Salt is always an option.
As with most Mediterranean meals, vegetables are only limited by what's in season, economical and your taste. I've used zucchini, chopped broccoli and even red cabbage.
1/4 cup Robust red wine adds a nice touch at the end.

Steps:

Trim as much meat from the shanks as possible, trying to keep the trimmings in as large a chunks as possible. Cut the trimmings into approx. 1.5" to 2" chunks. Begin heating the olive oil to a temperature suitable for browning. Prepare your veggies and herbs and put them aside. Your oil should be hot enough for browning by now. Put shanks and chunks into hot oil for browning. Brown both sides, then remove. Lower the heat and wait a few minutes -- then add all of your veggies and herbs. Also, add about 1/2 cup of water to the mixture. When the mixture re-boils, put the meat back in, stir it all up and cover. Reduce heat to simmer and let braise for about 1/2 hour. (Start boiling your pasta water now) Stir it again and taste a chunk for tenderness. Remove the meat if tender or continue cooking per your best judgment until tender. Remove the meat and add your red wine -- again, to taste -- stir. Now cook your pasta. I find that penne or shells are the best sauce collectors. Turn the heat off of the meat/veggie mixture but keep it warm and covered. When the pasta is done (drain, of course) mix the sauce and the pasta. Serve the pasta and put the meat on a side dish. A dash of salt at this time is wonderful on both the meat and the pasta. So is a grated hard cheese! Tossed salad makes a good accompaniment.