🍋 Mediterranean Lamb Shanks with Lemon & Oregano

Slow-braised, fall-off-the-bone lamb bursting with bright citrus and warm spices—comfort food with a Mediterranean soul.

🛒 Ingredients:

• 4 lamb shanks
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice + zest of 2 lemons
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp dried oregano (or use fresh if available)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional, but highly recommended)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Set your oven to 325°F (160°C) and get ready for magic.
2. Sear the Lamb:
   In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
   Season lamb shanks with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear them on all sides until beautifully browned—about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
   In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss in the chopped onion.
   Cook until soft and golden (around 5 minutes), then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the Goodness:
   Pour in the white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavor-packed browned bits at the bottom.
   Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Build the Flavor Base:
   Add broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, cumin, salt, and a pinch more pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. Braise It Low & Slow:
   Return the seared lamb shanks to the pot, making sure they’re partially submerged in the broth.
   Add rosemary sprigs if using, cover tightly with a lid, and transfer to the oven.
7. Let Time Do Its Thing:
   Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the lamb is fall-apart tender. Check once or twice to see if you need to top off with a bit more broth.
8. Rest & Serve:
   Once done, let the pot rest out of the oven for about 10 minutes.
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with fluffy rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or rustic bread to soak up that glorious sauce.

⏱️ Time & Nutrition:

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: ~3 hrs
• 🍽️ Serves: 4
• 🔥 Calories: ~450 kcal per serving