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Lamb is a good source of iron, vitamins and has protein that is rich in essential amino acids. Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb deserves a spot on your table any time of the week!
Ontario Lamb is particularly rich in vitamin B-12 and in niacin, zinc, and iron. Just 3 oz of cooked lamb, with any excess fat removed, provides the average person with 48 percent of their daily protein requirements, 30 percent zinc, 10 percent iron, 37 percent vitamin B-12 and 27 percent niacin Source: American Lamb Council.

A good quality lamb will have a nice fat finish, which not only adds flavour to the lean meat but, can also be—in the right amount—a healthy part of a balanced diet. Only one-third of the fat in lamb is saturated, the rest is mono or polyunsaturated, the “good” fat in one’s diet.
Settle into the cooler weather with this delicious and hearty braised lamb shank meal for any night of the week!
Learn more about what Ontario Sheep farmers are doing on environmental sustainability and their commitment to the land, the animals, and producing high-quality food and fiber by visiting globalheroes.com/how-sheep-are-mitigating-climate-change/
Ontario Lamb Shanks Braised with Stout Beer & Root Vegetables
Lamb doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions!
Total Time: 2 hr 50 min (Save additional time with a pressure cooker) | Prep Time: 20 min | Level: Moderate | Yield: 8 Servings (For a serving of 4 simply 1/2 the ingredients)
Ingredients:
- 8 Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb shanks
- Salt & pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp each dried rosemary & thyme (or 1 tbsp chopped fresh)
- 2 bottles (341 ml each) Guinness or other stout-based beer
- 3 cups beef stock
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 3 onions, cut in wedges
- 3 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
- 3 parsnips, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces
- ½ rutabaga, peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions:
- Sprinkle shanks lightly with salt and pepper and coat with flour. In a large ovenproof casserole or dutch oven, heat half the oil over medium-high heat. In batches, brown shanks, adding more oil as needed and removing browned shanks to plate.
- Stir in any remaining flour, the garlic, thyme, and rosemary; cook over medium heat for 1 minute, stirring. Remove pan from heat and gradually stir in beer; return to heat and bring to boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Boil for 5 minutes, covered, or until syrupy, stirring often. Stir in 2 cups of the stock. Return shanks and any juices to pan. Bring to boil, cover tightly. Bake in 350°F oven for about 2-1/2 hours or until lamb is very tender, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, in a deep skillet, melt butter and sugar over medium heat; stir in onions, carrots, parsnips, and rutabaga until well coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add remaining stock and bring to boil. Bake uncovered, and stirring occasionally, in 350° F oven for about 1-1/4 hours or until vegetables are tender but not mushy. Stir in cooked shanks.
- The stew can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Remove any fat from the top, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes and reheat slowly on the stovetop, stirring often; or place in 350°f oven, covered, for about 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.
Looking to Buy Fresh Premium Ontario Lamb? Try using our lamb locator tool at lambrecipes.ca
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For more than 30 years Ontario Sheep Farmers has been an advocate and unified voice for the Ontario’s 3,000 sheep farmers, representing the sheep, lamb and wool industries.