Consider braising some lamb shanks to create a rich, hearty meal in the fall and winter months. Learning how to cook lamb shanks will teach you how to create tender lamb that falls off the bone. It also provides alternate cooking methods and a host of recipe variations to suit your taste buds.

A rich red meat, lamb is a good source of B vitamins and protein.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=117 Lamb shanks (the lower part of the arm or rear leg) are often cooked such that the meat can be pulled into flavorful strands.http://www.chow.com/ingredients/224 The process is called braising, and is a quite popular preparation method. While braising, roasting or baking are the most common methods to prepare lamb shanks, the meat can also be prepared in a slow cooker for several hours to tender perfection or even grilled if desired. Just as there are several methods to cook lamb shanks, the seasonings or flavorings used to spice up the meat can vary as well.

Choose the best lamb shanks and store them properly to ensure you get the best, fresh flavor and texture.

1. Look for cuts of lamb that are a dark pink color with bits of white fat throughout the meat.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm
   • -If the lamb is dark red, it may be less fresh and less tender.http://mideastfood.about.com/od/tipsandtechniques/a/selectinglamb.htm
2. Opt for fore shanks for mild flavor or rear leg shanks for a stronger flavor.http://www.chow.com/ingredients/224
3. Use USDA-graded lamb considered "Prime" or "Choice" to ensure it's tender and full of flavor.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=117
4. Find a sirloin, rib or loin lamb chop, which are more tender than shoulder or leg chops.http://bbq.about.com/cs/lamb/a/aa031001a.htm
5. If you're buying packaged lamb, choose puncture-free packages that feel cold, not warm.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm

1. Keep the raw meat in a plastic bag away from other items in the refrigerator to guard against cross contamination.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm
2. Refrigerate the lamb for up to five days in the original package.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm
   • -Pack the lamb on ice if will take longer than an hour to reach a refrigerator.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm
3. Freeze the shanks for six to nine months in foil or freezer bags.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=117
   • -Ensure freshness by freezing the lamb within four days of purchase.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic3509.htm

• Slow cooking is the key to making lamb shanks with tender meat that falls off the bone. Although there are numerous combinations of braising liquids, herbs and spices to flavor the meat, following is a basic recipe to cook delicious shanks, along with alternate methods if you don't want to braise on the stovetop.

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 4 cups braising liquid (see recipe for suggestions)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups chopped vegetables (like celery, carrots, mushrooms and onion)
• 5 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
• Dutch oven or oven-safe pot
• Stove
• Oven

Preparation Method

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/braised-lamb-shanks-with-tom?autonomy_kw=lamb%20shank&rsc=header_2
2. Place oil into the Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lamb-Shank-Braised-in-White-Wine-with-Rosemary/Detail.aspx
3. Season the shanks with salt and pepper.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000046lamb_shanks.php
4. Sear the shanks in the hot oil for about two to three minutes per side or until the shanks are brown on all sides.http://www.emerils.com/recipe/520/Braised-Lamb-Shanks
5. Take the browned shanks from the pot and set them aside temporarily.http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/braised-lamb-shanks-with-tom?autonomy_kw=lamb%20shank&rsc=header_2
6. Saute the vegetables for three minutes.http://www.emerils.com/recipe/520/Braised-Lamb-Shanks
7. Add the garlic, bay leaf, thyme and salt and pepper to taste.http://www.emerils.com/recipe/520/Braised-Lamb-Shanks
8. Pour the braising liquid into the pot.
   • -Consider a combination of veal and chicken stock.http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/braised-lamb-shanks-with-tom?autonomy_kw=lamb%20shank&rsc=header_2
   • -Try braising in beer for a rich, hearty flavor.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Stout-Braised-Lamb-Shanks/Detail.aspx
   • -You can also braise in red wine and water for a sweet, tart flavor.http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/red-wine-braised-lamb-shanks
9. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to bring the liquid to a simmer.http://www.emerils.com/recipe/520/Braised-Lamb-Shanks
10. Let simmer for 60 to 90 minutes or until the meat starts to fall off the bone.http://www.emerils.com/recipe/520/Braised-Lamb-Shanks
11. Remove the cooked shanks from the pot.
12. Strain the braising liquid, throw away the solid ingredients and use the liquid as a sauce for the lamb.http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/braised-lamb-shanks-with-tom?autonomy_kw=lamb%20shank&rsc=header_2

1. Instead of braising the lamb shanks on the stove, you can also cover the pot and for 90 to 120 minutes, until the shanks are tender.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000046lamb_shanks.php bake
2. Combine the lamb shanks with ingredients like crushed tomatoes, jam and spices like dried rosemary, garlic, ginger and cinnamon and cook on low in a crock pot for eight hours or on high for five hours.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=e34126661cce0110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=header_6&autonomy_kw=lamb+shank
3. Roast lamb shanks in the oven for three hours at 250 degrees F with garlic and rosemary.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F-MQSLan3k

• Infuse the lamb shanks with additional flavors by trying different rubs and marinades or use the lamb meat in soups or stews.

1. Add a dry rub with spices like coriander and cumin before braising.http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Black-Pepper-Braised-Lamb-Shanks-236818
2. Create a rich and hearty vegetable soup with your lamb shanks.http://www.recipezaar.com/Lamb-Shank-and-Vegetable-Soup-35201
3. Spice things up with a lamb shank curry dish.http://www.recipezaar.com/Lamb-Shank-Curry-250836
4. Combine lamb shanks and root vegetables to create a warming stew.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/007380lamb_shank_stew_with_root_vegetables.php