Lamb Ragu with Polenta and Mint Gremolata
Anything that is meaty, has been braised for hours, and is then spooned over a creamy polenta is a winner in my book. This lamb ragu is no exception.
Servings Prep Time
4people 30minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
3hours 3hours
Servings Prep Time
4people 30minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
3hours 3hours
Ingredients
for the lamb ragu
  • 2pieces lamb shanks, about 1.25 lbs each
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1stalk celery, diced
  • 4cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1cup white wine
  • 114 oz can tomatoes, crushed
  • 4cups chicken stock
  • 1sprig rosemary, chopped
  • salt
  • fresh cracked black pepper
  • 3tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
for the polenta
  • 2cups polenta
  • 6cups water, plus more if needed
  • 8tablespoons butter, cubed
  • 3/4cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • salt to taste
for the mint gremolata
  • 2tablespoons fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
  • 2tablespoons celery leaves, thinly sliceduse the inner leaves that are more yellow in color
  • 2lemons zested
  • 1/2teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
for the lamb ragu
  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Season the lamb shanks generously all over with salt and pepper. In a dutch oven over medium-high heat add the olive oil and heat until almost smoking. Add the lamb shanks and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the shanks from the pan and lower the heat to medium. Add the carrots, onion, and celery and sweat (try not to brown) for about 10 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the wine and reduce by half, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to dislodge any delicious browned bits. Stir in the tomatoes, add the chicken stock, bring everything to a simmer, cover the pot and place it in the oven for about 3 hours or until the lamb shanks are fork tender and easily pull off the bone. When ready, remove the lamb shanks from the liquid and pull the meat of the bone and roughly shred with a couple of forks. Meanwhile, simmer the braising liquid and skim the fat with a ladle. Add the shredded meat back to the braising liquid and simmer until the liquid has thickened (reduce by about half). Serve atop the polenta and garnish with the mint gremolata.
for the polenta
  1. Bring the water to a simmer and add a couple pinches of salt. Whisk in the polenta. If it gets super thick right off the bat add more hot water until you get your desired consistency. Cook over a low flame for about 15-20 minutes, whisking often, add water as necessary. The cook time will depend on the type of polenta you purchase. Turn off the heat and whisk in the butter one cube at a time. Whisk in the Parmigiano. Cover the pot and keep warm until you are ready to serve.
for the mint gremolata
  1. in a small bowl mix together the sliced mint, sliced celery leaf, and lemon zest and dress lightly with the olive oil.