If you’re looking for something special to cook for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, this braised lamb shank dinner for two is sure to win hearts! The lengthy cooking time makes it look like a labour of love, but prepping it is quick, and then you can leave it to cook gently while you get on with other things.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 4-5 hours 

Here’s what goes in

• 2 lamb shanks (around 500g each)
• One onion, quartered
• One clove of garlic, peeled
• One cup of wine
• One tin of chopped Italian tomatoes
• One cup of chicken stock
• Salt and meat seasoning
• 1 tablespoon of origanum
• Olive oil for frying

How to do it

 

Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Place the shanks in a flat roasting pan drizzled with a bit of olive oil. Salt and season them and place them in the hot oven to brown, for about 15 minutes. 

Once they’ve got a bit of colour, remove them from the oven.

Now add the wine, stock, tomatoes, onion, garlic and origanum to the pan. Tightly cover the pan with foil (shiny side down) and return the shanks to the oven. Turn the heat down 140ºC and continue to cook the shanks for another 4 – 5 hours. (This timing will depend on oven variation and how tender you like the meat to be). Check the liquid level every hour or so as you don’t want them to dry out. When they are tender enough to fall off the bone at the slightest touch, they are ready.

These can be served over a bed of mashed potato or creamy polenta, or just with a side salad.