TURKISH BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH ROASTED PLUMS

Turkish Braised Lamb Shanks with Roasted Plums image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 4 to 6 portions

Number Of Ingredients 16

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2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground, toasted cumin seed
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 lamb shanks, about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds each
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, chopped, about 2 cups
1/2 pound plums, cut in half and stones removed (damsons or Italian prune plums are a good choice)
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup white wine
2 cups hot chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

Mix the paprika, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, all spice, cloves, salt and pepper in a bowl. Rub the spice mix into the lamb shanks creating a spice covering that coats the lamb completely. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven. Add the onions and begin to brown them stirring occasionally. Add the plums that you have pitted along with the sugar and cook for a few minutes with the onions. Remove the onions and plums with a slotted spoon and add the seasoned lamb to the hot dutch oven and brown the lamb well on all sides. Add the white wine and cook down by half. Add the hot stock and return the onions and plums to the pot. Adjust the seasoning, set at a simmer, cover and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the lamb is fork tender. Serve with almond and saffron rice.