Braised Lamb Shoulder with Fennel and Orange

Zoi Antonitsas, Westward, Seattle8 ServingsSource
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Fennel and Orange

Ingredients

Method

Heat oven to 325°. Pat lamb dry; season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or other large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Cook lamb, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 6–8 minutes; transfer to a plate.

Add fennel, onion, and garlic to same pot and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and softened, 6–8 minutes. Add wine and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half, 6–8 minutes.

Add orange, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, tomatoes, and broth along with lamb to pot. Bring to a simmer, cover pot, and transfer to oven. Braise until lamb is fork-tender, 1½–2 hours. Transfer lamb to a clean plate.

Strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; return to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thick and velvety, 20–30 minutes.

Stir in pomegranate molasses, if using, and return lamb to pot and cook, stirring to coat, until heated through. Serve lamb with Cucumber-Dill Tzatziki, Three-Herb and Red Onion Salad, and Westward Pita Bread.