Garlic-Braised Beef Shanks

Ingredients for Garlic-Braised Beef Shanks

• 6 (1 1/2-inch-thick) beef shanks (2.7kg )

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 80g plain flour

• 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 425ml reduced-sodium beef broth (14 fluid ounces)

• 475ml water

• 4 large heads of garlic, 1/4 inch of root end cut off and discarded to expose cloves

• 2 (4-inch-long) strips fresh lemon zest

• 8 fresh thyme sprigs

• 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

• 3 celery ribs, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

• 3 large carrots, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste

• Garnish: celery leaves

• parchment paper

How to make Garlic-Braised Beef Shanks

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 177°C.

Pat shanks dry and rub all over with salt and pepper. Dredge shanks in flour, turning to coat. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown shanks on all sides in 3 batches, adding 1/2 tablespoons oil if necessary, 5 to 6 minutes per batch.

Transfer shanks to a large roasting pan. Add broth and water to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits. Nestle garlic (cut sides down), zest, thyme, and bay leaves with celery and carrots around shanks in pan and add broth mixture. Cover surface with a sheet of parchment paper and tightly cover pan with foil. Transfer to oven and braise until meat is very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Skim off and discard fat from cooking liquid and cool mixture completely, uncovered, about 1 hour, then chill, covered, at least 6 hours.

Preheat oven to 177°C (leave rack in middle position).

Skim off and discard any remaining fat from surface of pan juices and reheat shank mixture, covered, in oven, turning shanks over once, 1 hour. Discard bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and zest. Transfer shanks and vegetables with garlic to a serving dish and keep warm, covered. If pan juices measure more than 725ml , boil in a cleaned 12-inch skillet until reduced; if less, add water. Squeeze garlic pulp from 1 head into pan juices, discarding skin, and whisk to incorporate, then add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce over shanks and serve, along with vegetables and remaining garlic heads.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.