Lamb Shanks with Orzo and Vegetables Recipe - lamb shanks

Method

• ==Shanks==
• Mix spice rub ingredients in a small bowl, then rub over lamb shanks.
• Use pre-ground spices to avoid burning big flakes of spice when browning the meat.
• In large roasting pot, bring e.v.o.o to medium-high heat and brown shanks on each side for 4 min.
• Add tomato paste, vegetable stock, and wine.
• Stir, then raise heat until you get a simmer, and remove from stove.
• Cover pot and cook at 350 for 3.5 hours, but add garlic after 2 hours.
• ==Orzo==
• About 2.5 hours into the shank cooking, boil a small pot of water, then add orzo and reduce to a simmer
• Let orzo cook at a low simmer for about 30 minutes until al-dente
• Remove orzo to container of cold water until ready to use (so it doesn't dry out or stick together) ==Vegetables==
• Peel carrot and cut into thick coins
• Split, then quarter the onion (ie into 8 chunks)
• Chop yellow and green zucchinis into 1/8" wide inch coins, discarding an inch off each end.
• Put aside vegetables in a bowl until ready to use.
• Slice tomato into thin wedges and set aside in separate bowl
• ==Combine==
• Remove shanks from oven, and take them out of the pot and place them on a plate
• Poor out the top layer of fat from the pot, being careful not to pour out any of the good sauce that has settled on the bottom.
• Add A 1/2 cup water or vegetable stock, and stir up the bits at the bottom of the pot
• Put pot over medium-high heat, add vegetables, cover, and let cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly undercooked.
• Add orzo, and stir until it blends with the sauce
• Add shanks, sliced tomato, cover pot, and return to the oven to bake for 30 more minutes at 200