Wine plays a prominent role in the preparation of this dish, enhancing the flavors of the lamb shanks while also adding depth to the sauce. Today, I’m excited to guide you through my favorite recipe for Chocolate and Red Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks. This dish not only brings together the rich flavor of lamb and the richness of chocolate, but it’s also perfect for special occasions or a cozy evening at home.

To start, let’s gather our ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:

• 4 lamb shanks
• 1 bottle of red wine (a bold variety like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot works great)
• 1 cup of beef or lamb stock
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1-2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary) for garnish

Once you have everything ready, it’s time to start cooking. First, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper, then brown them in the hot oil for about 5-7 minutes on each side. This step is crucial, as it caramelizes the meat and adds a beautiful depth of flavor.

After browning the shanks, remove them from the pot and set them aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onions, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent. At this point, add the tomato paste, ground cumin, and cinnamon. Stir everything together and let it cook for another 2 minutes to release all those wonderful flavors.

Next, pour in the bottle of red wine, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly. This process will intensify the flavors before we add the lamb shanks back to the mix.

Now, return the browned lamb shanks to the pot and add the stock along with the cocoa powder. The chocolate will provide a subtle richness to the sauce that’s surprisingly complementary to the lamb and red wine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. You want to braise the lamb for about 2 to 3 hours, or until it’s tender and falling off the bone.

Once your lamb shanks are done, serve them with their luscious sauce over creamy mashed potatoes or polenta. Don’t forget to garnish with your choice of fresh herbs. I love to pair this dish with a glass of the same red wine used in the braising process for a perfectly harmonious meal.

Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors in this Chocolate and Red Wine-Braised Lamb Shanks recipe. It’s a dish that’s sure to impress anyone who joins you at the table!