roasted thai lamb shanks

I just have to share the meal I made on Sunday night. Ever since Able-Bodied Boy discovered my thai cookbook, thai flavors are at the top of our list. I found this recipe on food52, my new favorite source for recipes. The original recipe used ingredients I didn't have, or forgot, and didn't use sweet potato, which we wanted to eat over the weekend. But, really, when have I ever followed a recipe...

ROASTED THAI LAMB SHANKS

with sweet potatoes

i'm not really a good food photographer.... sorry!

You'll need:
*optional substitutions

• 1/2 cup fresh thai basil leaves (* 2 tsp dried regular basil OR 1/2 cup fresh cilantro) 
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (from the garden!)
• 4-5 kaffir lime leaves (* 1/4 tsp lime zest)
• 1 sprig fresh lemon grass, diced (* 1 Tbsp lemongrass paste)
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 Tbsp thai red curry paste
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 1-3 red thai chiles (ground dried or fresh, to personal spice level)
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 ounces coconut milk (about 2/3 of a standard can)
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 lamb shanks (1-2lbs each)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, in 3/4 inch thick rounds
• 1/4 cup chicken, vegetable, or lamb stock

Instructions:
In a food processor, blend first ten ingredients (leaves through salt) into a paste. Blend in the coconut milk, fish sauce, oil and lime juice, scraping the sides as necessary. Pour into a gallon bag with shanks and allow to marinade at least 4 hours (all day/overnight is better!).

Preheat your oven to 400F. In a baking dish, place the potato rounds in the bottom, then place the shanks on top and cover all with the marinade. Roast for 65-75 minutes (medium-rare to medium-well, to your preference) until potatoes are cooked, turning the shanks over once half-way through.

Plate and cover the lamb shanks to rest and the potatoes on the side. Pour the drippings and stock into a small pan and simmer the gravy for 10 minutes, to thicken. Use a gravy strainer to rid yourself of some of the grease, then serve all!

Note: the original recipe calls for coconut milk to be added to the drippings for the gravy; I opted not to add the additional calories of the coconut milk, but you can if you want! I'm sure it would still be very very tasty!



Yields:
Serves 2

Time:
Prep: 30 minutes
Inactive prep: 4+ hours
Cooking: 1.5 hours

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Which style of cuisine is your favorite to eat? to cook?

Much Love,
Able-Bodied Girl