05/30/2011

You Are Invited

I wish I could invite all the lamb lovers to my table to enjoy these mechoui lamb shanks with fries. I wish I could cook for all of you. It’s one of those larger-than-life dreams of mine. Since, alas, I can’t do that, I’m inviting each and every lamb lover to make these in their own home, and calling the rest to give lamb a chance.

The prep time for these shanks is about five minutes. Then you forget about them in the oven for about 2 1/2 hours. About 15 minutes before they’re done, you start frying the potatoes. When all is ready, you pour yourself a glass of wine, you take your plate to your favorite spot in the house, preferably somewhere with a view, and you savor, yes you savor and enjoy your meal.

Recipe for Mechoui Lamb Shanks with French Fries

2 servings

For the lamb
2 lamb shanks
2 garlic cloves
1 shallot
12 sprigs parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Zest and juice of 1 small lime or lemon
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

For the fries
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into strips
Sea salt
Frying oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a food processor, mince the garlic, shallot and parsley. Transfer to a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients for the shanks and stir well.

Using your hands, rub the mixture onto the shanks and place them in a rimmed baking pan. Cover with foil and bake for 2 hours. Remove the foil and bake another 30 minutes, basting the shanks with their juices a couple of times.

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat(I like to use a saucepan for that because of its high walls). Season the potatoes with salt and fry them until golden and crispy.

Serve the shanks with a mound of fries on top.

Similar Posts:
Dry Rub Lamb Chops
Lamb and Carrot Tagine

Posted in Lamb, Meat, Moroccan Recipes
16 comments » / Leave a Comment »
 

Related Posts

16 Responses to “You Are Invited”

  1. 1

    Kalyn — 05/30/2011 @ 3:38 pm

    I'd love to come to your house and have this for dinner. Lamb is my favorite red meat and I don't cook it nearly often enough!

  2. 2

    Nisrine — 05/30/2011 @ 4:29 pm

    It sounds like the two of us would get along :)

  3. 3

    Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen — 05/30/2011 @ 6:57 pm

    I accept! I love lamb and serve it often in our home, but only to guests who appreciate it (smile).
    Sam

  4. 4

    Dana — 05/30/2011 @ 7:34 pm

    I would be there in a heartbeat! If you made dinner, I'll bring dessert.

  5. 5

    Jennifurla — 05/30/2011 @ 8:59 pm

    Oh delish..personally I love cumin too.

  6. 6

    Russell at Chasing Deliciou — 05/31/2011 @ 2:31 am

    I love lamb shanks! And serving them with fries is such a good idea. This meal looks super scrumptious.

  7. 7

    Lenore — 05/31/2011 @ 4:08 am

    This looks delicious! I will have to make it for the hubby and I soon. I've never cooked lamb before, but this seems easy enough :)

  8. 8

    OrlndoFoodie — 05/31/2011 @ 4:09 am

    This looks delicious! I will have to make it for the hubby and I soon. I've never cooked lamb before, but this seems easy enough :)

  9. 9

    yasmeen — 05/31/2011 @ 9:29 am

    no convincing necessary! lamb shanks are my favorite cut of meat. i've been meaning to pop some in the pressure cooker, but this time i'll try it your way :)

  10. 10

    Ilke — 05/31/2011 @ 10:34 am

    Can I come over?
    I am with you, people have to give a chance to lamb. I always want to serve lamb when we have a big dinner but I have seen people complaining about the "weird smell and taste" an pushing it around their plates. I just can't take it so I only cook after I ask each person if it is ok.
    And cumin needs a better place on the spice rack!

  11. 11

    Nuts about food — 05/31/2011 @ 1:20 pm

    I adore lamb, I would say it is my favorite meat probably. So I will definitely be giving this a try. I already have the cumin. :o)
    I would be happy to come over to your place. Should I bring some wine?

  12. 12

    Elra's cooking and baking — 06/01/2011 @ 12:26 am

    Love love love lamb. It's my favorite meat on earth. I must try to make lamb mechoui which I have been dreaming of making it for quite sometime. Yours look amazingly good Nizrine!

  13. 13

    Rosa's Yummy Yums — 06/01/2011 @ 5:34 am

    That dish looks delicious! Lamb shanks are fabulous.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  14. 14

    Magic of Spice — 06/01/2011 @ 3:26 pm

    Beautifully prepared lamb! I do love cumin, but I am a vegetarian so no lamb…but I do prepare lamb for family and friends and this is a wonderful recipe:)

  15. 15

    Julie (TheLittleKitchen.net) — 06/02/2011 @ 2:47 am

    This looks so good! Wow! Am I really invited over? ;)

  16. 16

    Cara — 06/03/2011 @ 2:20 pm

    I feel sorry for those who won't give lamb a chance, they are very much missing out. Oh well, more for us!

Leave a Comment