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Winter is gone but definitely not forgotten, even with summer peeking around the corner. Especially since Sydney springtime can be notorious for its fickle weather and topsy turvy temperatures. Where we can swelter one day, endure storms the next before ending with a sudden cold snap all in a space of a day or two. Suits me fine though especially when a sunny day suddenly descends into an afternoon rainstorm. Makes for a killer frolicking moment.
Plus it means that I can still enjoy a hearty protein-fueled meal long after winter hangs up its scarf. And this time I was craving lamb shanks big time, braised in copious amounts of sweet alcohol. You can blame this sudden urge on my good friend Lisa, who recently cooked us an amazing lunch where she served veal shanks cooked in PX. I was ecstatic to say the least.
Now I am a meat and potatoes type of girl through and through and braises and stews are my favourite. There’s just something undeniably magical about braised meats especially when it’s comes dressed in a sticky, luminous barbecue-sauce-like glaze and slow cooked until it’s tender. So tender that it sits almost quivering, just barely holding itself intact. And nothing more than a gentle flicker of your fork is needed to tear through its flimsy fibres and break it down into numerous melt-in-your-mouth shards of delicious luscious sweet meat.
Braises are the ultimate in meat erotica.
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Aaaand before you go, there are only a few days left to vote in the Nuffang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards and I would love some Christmas cheer (oh and you can vote every two hours if you REALLY love me hehe). Thanks so much for all your support so far xx
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s no wonder why you were put in the category for best photography blog – your photos are simply amazing. With this crazy sydney weather, I really could do with a fix of braised meat and potatoes. Mmmm.
Tina @ bitemeshowme recently posted..Chef’s Gallery, Sydney
I have some lamb shanks in the freezer so I’ll give this recipe a go; looks wonderful!
Perfect for today’s weather!!! The whole week, even. Looks delish :P
Tina@foodboozeshoes recently posted..Little northern Chinatown in Chatswood
My mouth was literally watering at the first photo. Amazing dish and gorgeous photos. Its no wonder you’re a finalist for best photography blog! Great job and I’m definitely chucking some votes your way!
Loving the moody country-style photography! And wondering whether the word “erotica” has ever graced your posts before…
Rita (mademoiselle délicieuse) recently posted..Bar Angolo
wow that lamb shank looks so delicious! oh and i voted for u every time! :D hope u win!
sugarpuffi recently posted..The Trip DVD Giveaway
Glad to be your inspiration for meat erotica ;) Your shanks look damn sexy!
Lisa recently posted..Mixed Berry Lattice Pies
Your words are like poetry to me.. I’m with Rita, oooo erotica… Gotta love a big hunk of meat once a while ;p
Phuoc’n Delicious recently posted..Cafe Circa, Parramatta
Ths looks soooo good. I’m the sort of person that doesn’t complain if I cook a meal like this on a hot day!
muppy recently posted..Texan Beef Ribs with Bourbon Sauce
I love cooking with port and these look stunning, best I keep my husband away from your blog or he will definitely want them for dinner tonight!
JJ @ 84thand3rd recently posted..Whole Spelt Pie Crust
This looks stunning! I’m saving this for my next rainy day.
Nicole @cookingafterfive recently posted..stuffed peppers with couscous + pesto
OMG mouthwatering!! I know, this weather is retarded!! made me all sick now :( … if only some one could make me some of this, served in bed!! muahhaa!!
ps I voted for you and have my timer set for every 2 hrs lol!
Rhonda (The Dainty Baker) recently posted..I’m Back!!!
Your lamb shanks are photographed so well and look so good. I was thinking today that with the return of the winter weather that it’s definitely not time to stop cooking lamb shanks. Who could resist???
Hotly Spiced recently posted..‘Mummy Dearest’ Now Redundant
Wow! That was so amazing to see your ‘before’ photo! Looks like my photos now! Haha! Such an inspiration! I’m going to get me a good camera early next year, I can’t wait!
Just voted for you! Good luck!
/quivers in jealousy
That sauce looks insanely good! With the weather we have had this week, its a perfect dish :D
Nic@diningwithastud recently posted..Guilt-free chocolate fudge cake
Wow!! Amazing photos… Seeing as it’s 37 degrees in Perth, I’m going to wait for a cooler night to make this.
Natashia@foodonpaper recently posted..Strawberry and Gin Cocktail
Loving the styling Karen. Also, so happy for you re Nuffnang awards – congrats again.
omg this looks amazing! you’ve totally got me craving some fall-apart lamb shanks now
Jacq recently posted..Jamie’s Italian, Sydney
As you know I am not a lamb lover, but omg that looks good, the boys would love to get their teeth in to that.
See photography, it is all in the photography :) Voting for you big time!
Sara (Belly Rumbles) recently posted..IKEA Tempe: Swedish Melty Meaty Balls (Köttbullar)
Your photography&styling is definitely getting better and better! I just stared in awe at that first image, the wooden table, blotchy peachy walls etc. haha meat erotica
How perfect is this dish for the shithouse weather we’re having outside??? SO PERFECT IT HURTS! Bring me some!
catty recently posted..it’s our 5 year anniversary! and it all started at Newtown Thai…
OMG!! Nice food photos… drooling already!! =D
bendan recently posted..Hennessy Artistry @ MIECC 12.11.11
The mash and lamb look amazing, I am going to add this to the Christmas feast list!
Oh wow! Your photos of the lamb shanks are just mouth watering. Plus your description of quivering tender meat… I can just feel the passion and love you have for that lovely piece of lamb shank! ;) Good luck with the contest!
Bring back winter so i can give those lamb shanks a try-out. The weather in Sydney has turned hot – again – in the past few days, but who knows about tomorrow!
The Food Sage recently posted..Beijing duck gets a royal roasting
Oh I do love Lamb Shanks and wow do these look wonderful!
Shannon recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Celebratory Sugar / You’re Only Six Once
“Braises are the ultimate in meat erotica”….. haha! That’s so true but disturbing at the same time that I can’t help chortling to myself. But that aside, it’s so true, and I’m longing to make this even as I type!
Judy recently posted..A Recipe in Pictures: Weeknight Dinner #1
Wow, that looks so delcious. And the photos are amazing
what a lovely dinner plate, it looks so fancy
beti recently posted..Chocolate Peppermint Bark
that looks beastly.. yumm
i wouldnt mind some right now… such perfecto weather !
Dolly recently posted..Medusa Greek Taverna – Town Hall
This looks delicious! Nothing better than smelling lamb braising for hours. This would be great for a big dinner party- not a lot of work at the last minute! I will definitely be trying this soon.
It’s winter here in Canada, and I can’t think of anything better to dig into than these tasty lamb shanks. Love how they are all boozed up! Gorgeous photos – so happy I found you via TasteSpotting!
renee recently posted..Easy Appie: Red Curry Shrimp Dumplings
I love lamb shanks and these look particularly delicious! I will have to save this recipe for once our cooler months roll around again!
Merry Christmas!
Emma
emma. our kitchen recently posted..Orange chutney
This type of meal is a necessity in life! a necessity, i say! Looks absolutely delicious and fulfilling!
simply gorgeous–i am drooling….stopping in from tastespotting
christy recently posted..gingerbread side-cars
Yum, shanks and mash. Comfort food at its best on colder days.
Debs @ The Spanish Wok recently posted..Char Siu Pork
The lamb shanks are looking so gorgeous and oh, so tempting! The addition of wine is surely going to take the taste of the whole dish to a greater dimension. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Roasted lamb shanks are one of my husband and I’s favorite dishes at our neighborhood Italian Restaurant and I have recently been thinking “hey I can make that?!”. Now with your recipe in hand, I am going to give it a go. Think that I will add some carrots as I love them cooked down and maybe serve with Israeli Couscous for a bit of a change from potatoes.
The Dinner Belle for Kimberlybelle.com
“Meat erotica.” LOVE.
emiglia recently posted..Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Yum! I absolutely cannot wait to try this. Great pictures – thanks for the post!
Take care!
~ Tiffany
Transfer of Health
Healthy Living and Recipes
Yummi, yummi! It looks sooo delicious. I have to try it :)
Nicky recently posted..
hi, so dying to make this dish.. sacrilegious i know, but since alcohol is taboo in our house, any suggestions of how to go about making this without the port please??
Just the thing for a cold winter’s evening, these slow-cooked lamb shanks are meltingly tender and perfect with a huge mound of buttery mashed potato.
Sandra recently posted..Belk credit card
I am making this for the third time tonight. Word spread since the last time I made it… and now I am cooking for 11 people! It even converted a non lamb eater! She is coming to have it again tonight. This is an outstanding recepie. So tasty.
Cheers!
Oh my! Made half of this -only 2 lamb shanks- for Easter Sunday dinner & they came out more than perfect!! THANK YOU!!!!