Recipe: Lamb Shanks with Artichoke Caponata

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-02-24
From: Nancy,.SanFran

Lamb Shanks with Artichoke Caponata
Recipe By : Sunset, October 2000
Serving Size : 4

4 lamb shanks (3 3/4 to 4 1/4 lb. total) -- bones cracked
Fresh-ground pepper
1 onion (1/2 lb.) -- peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper (1/2 lb.) -- rinsed, stemmed,
seeded, and thinly sliced
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 box frozen artichoke hearts -- (8 oz.)
1 cup drained pitted calamata olives
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 can diced tomatoes -- (14-1/2 oz.)
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

PREP AND COOK TIME: 6 3/4 to 7 1/4 hours on low, 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours on high

NOTES: Serve with soft polenta or hot cooked orzo (rice-shaped) pasta. For an additional rich touch, sprinkle servings of shanks with toasted pine nuts.

MAKES: 4 servings

1. Rinse shanks, pat dry, and arrange slightly apart in a 10- by 15-inch pan; sprinkle all over with pepper.

2. Bake shanks in a 450 oven until well browned, 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a 4 1/2-quart or larger electric slow-cooker, combine onion, bell pepper, celery, artichoke hearts, olives, capers, and basil. Set shanks on vegetables in cooker. Add tomatoes with juice, vinegar, and any lamb juices from baking pan.

4. Cover and cook until lamb is very tender when pierced with a fork, 6 to 6 1/2 hours on low, 4 to 4 1/2 hours on high.

5. With a slotted spoon, transfer each shank to a wide, shallow bowl and keep warm. Skim and discard fat from cooking liquid. Turn cooker to high. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons water; pour into cooker and stir often until sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes. Spoon sauce and vegetables over lamb, and sprinkle portions with parsley.