This delicious fall supper is a meal in a dish. It’s a spin-off from the traditional Italian osso buco version, but we’ve scaled it up using farm-fresh lamb shanks. Served with long-simmering diced veggies and some lovely Puy lentils, it’s an instant crowd pleaser. Bonus: as a cut of meat, lamb shanks are less expensive and boast oodles of healthy collagen. Cooked low and slow, the meat literally falls away from the bone in tender chunks.
Per serving:
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Season lamb shanks all over with salt and pepper. In large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil. Add shanks, a couple at a time, and cook over medium heat until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove to roasting pan large enough to hold them in a single layer.
Add carrots, celery, onion, and 2 garlic cloves to fat remaining in saucepan. Sauté over medium-low heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and ladle over lamb shanks.
Add wine to saucepan and boil vigorously until reduced to 1/2 cup (125 mL). Stir in water, chopped tomatoes, thyme sprigs, and rosemary. Pour over vegetables and lamb shanks.
Cover roasting pan tightly and bake in centre of preheated oven for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, turn shanks over, stir in lentils, making sure they are submerged in pan juices. Cover and continue to bake for an additional hour, or until lamb is tender and almost falling off the bone Add a little extra hot water halfway through baking if mixture appears a little dry.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, make gremolata by combining lemon and orange zest, parsley, and minced garlic. Toss with fork to blend. Cover and set aside.
When lamb and lentils are tender, remove thyme stalks. Add more seasonings to taste, if you wish. Ladle lamb and lentils into shallow serving bowls and serve with a sprinkling of gremolata. This dish is equally delicious refrigerated and served reheated the next day. Serve with rustic crusty bread for dipping.
Tips:
This vegan take on classic shepherd’s pie is jam-packed with bold and rich flavours that will ensure no one will miss the meat. While a great source of fibre, lentils also contain the highest amount of folate out of all plant-based foods. Oven ready If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, you’ll need to transfer cooked lentil filling to a baking dish before topping with mashed sweet potatoes and baking.
Cauliflower has been having a moment lately, and this salad proves exactly why. Tender caramelized cauliflower is crowned in a glorious sweet and savoury crumble that will ensure it a place on your table all month long. Of all tree nuts, pecans have the highest concentration of flavonoids, which offer beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, and they also protect your cells from oxidative damage. Crumble perfection This crumble topping is too good not to use it on other preparations. Sprinkle over a carrot ribbon salad to add some extra pizzazz, use as a glorious garnish on a soup or stew, or consider generously spooning over your next vegetable “steak” to add some delicious textural variation.
This gloriously comforting dish gets its creamy lusciousness from a can of white beans. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand instead of broccoli. Pass the pasta Instead of regular pasta, consider serving this sauce over zucchini noodles, carrot noodles, or cooked spaghetti squash.
This nut-free take on classic queso dip is everything you want and more. Paired with chips, crackers, or crudités, this creamy, zesty, smoky, and oh-so-satisfying dip is easy enough to whip up for a cozy snack or as an appetizer for company. Go nuts! If you’re okay to eat nuts, try substituting sunflower seeds with 1 cup (250 mL) raw cashews.