Braised Lamb Shanks with Mint-Parsley Pesto Recipe

For the lamb:

Heat the oven to 325°F and arrange a rack in the lower third. Using a paring knife and starting at the tapered end of the shank, cut between the meat and bone and work down the bone to create a pocket about 3 inches long. Stuff each lamb shank with 3 garlic cloves and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep oven-safe pot with a tightfitting lid over medium-high heat. When the oil smokes, add the shanks and cook until well browned on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. (You may need to do this in 2 batches.) Remove to a plate and set aside.

Remove the pot from heat until no longer smoking. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and return to the stove over medium heat. Once oil shimmers, add celery, carrot, and onion, season with salt, and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium high, add wine or water, and cook, scraping up any browned bits. Increase heat to high and nest shanks among vegetables, then add broth and any accumulated juices (the broth should surround, but not cover, the shanks). Bring to a simmer.

Once simmering, cover and transfer to the oven. Braise the shanks, turning every 45 minutes or so, until the meat is fork tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and cook, turning once, until the meat is fork tender and falling off the bone, about 25 minutes more. Meanwhile, make the pesto.

For the pesto:

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, combine mint, parsley, orange juice, salt, and garlic and process until smooth. With the processor running, add oil in a thin stream until evenly incorporated. Stir in orange zest and set aside.

To finish the lamb:

Remove the lamb from the oven, transfer to a plate, and strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Discard the vegetables and return the sauce to the pot. Add pesto, stirring to combine, then return the shanks to the sauce, turn to coat, and cook over low heat until warmed through. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed.

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