Crock Pot Spicy Lamb Shanks

Total Time: 8 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 large oranges
• 1 1/4 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 5 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1 1/2 cups boiling onions, peeled
• 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 4 lbs lamb shanks (3 to 4)
• 6 inches cinnamon sticks
• 2 tablespoons water
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cup kalamata olives or 1/3 cup other black olives, halved if desired
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro

Recipe

• 1 using a vegetable peeler, remove the orange part of the peel from 1 of the oranges . cut the peel into thin strips (should have about 1/4 cup); set aside. squeeze the juice from both oranges to make about 2/3 cup. in a small bowl stir together orange juice, broth, cardamom, cumin, salt, turmeric, and pepper. set aside.
• 2 place carrots, onions, and garlic in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart crockery cooker. top with lamb shanks, strips of orange peel, and cinnamon sticks. pour orange juice mixture over all. cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 9 hours or until lamb pulls easily from the bone.
• 3 when ready to serve, transfer the lamb shanks and vegetables to a serving dish using a slotted spoon. skim the fat from the cooking liquid. remove and discard the cinnamon sticks. measure 1 1/2 cups juices; transfer to a small saucepan.
• 4 combine water and cornstarch; add to saucepan. cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. cook and stir 2 minutes more. spoon sauce over lamb and vegetables. sprinkle with olives and cilantro. makes 4 to 6 servings.