Braised Pomegranate Lamb Shanks

Name: Braised Pomegranate Lamb Shanks
Ingredients: 6 grass-fed lamb shanks; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp avocado oil; 3 large shallots, halved; 6 garlic cloves, smashed; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 cups dry red wine; 2 cups pomegranate juice; 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock; 1 tsp whole black peppercorns; 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (optional); 0.5 cup pomegranate seeds; 0.5 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 tsp grated lemon zest; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 0.5 tsp kosher salt

Lamb shanks braised in red wine and pomegranate juice with a pomegranate gremolata. Pomegranate is a longevity superfood containing polyphenols that produce Urolithin A in the gut, helping protect against aging.

From The Young Forever Cookbook

Ingredients

6 grass-fed lamb shanks
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp avocado oil
3 large shallots, halved
6 garlic cloves, smashed
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
2 tbsp arrowroot powder (optional)
0.5 cup pomegranate seeds
0.5 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
0.5 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

For the lamb shanks: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Season the lamb shanks with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper.
Heat the avocado oil in a large Dutch oven or other ovenproof pot over medium heat. Working in batches, sear the shanks on all sides until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a rimmed plate.
Remove the pot from the heat and use the residual heat to cook the shallots until golden all over, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and stir for a minute or so until fragrant.
Place the pot back on the burner and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any bits. Boil for 3 minutes, then add the pomegranate juice, stock, peppercorns, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Return the shanks to the pot and arrange them so they are almost all covered with liquid, adding more stock if needed. Soak a piece of parchment paper under running water, then crumple it up. Lay it directly on top of the lamb shanks and cover the pot with a lid. Bake in the oven for 2 to 2½ hours, until the meat is very tender and falling off the bone.
Remove the shanks from the pot and set aside. Bring the braising liquid to a rolling boil over high heat. If using, whisk the arrowroot and water until smooth, then add to the braising liquid and cook, whisking, until it has thickened and can coat the back of a spoon. Season to taste.
For the gremolata: In a small bowl, combine the pomegranate seeds, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and garlic. Stir in the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper.
Plate the lamb shanks with the gremolata on top. Serve alongside your favorite grain or roasted vegetable.

Active Compounds

Nutrients and bioactive compounds delivered by this recipe's ingredients.

Ellagitannins
From: Pomegranate
Urolithins
From: Pomegranate
Urolithin A
From: Pomegranate
Resveratrol
From: Pomegranate
Polyphenols
From: Pomegranate
Punicalagin
From: Pomegranate
Iron
From: Lamb
Vitamin B12
From: Lamb

May Support

Health conditions and aging processes this recipe's compounds may influence, based on the source research.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Improves · via Pomegranate
Osteoarthritis
Protects against · via Pomegranate
Gut Dysbiosis
Addresses · via Pomegranate
Aging
Protects against · via Ellagitannins
Age-Related Muscle Decline
Improves · via Urolithins
Sarcopenia
Improves · via Urolithin A
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Protects against · via Urolithin A
Ulcerative Colitis
Improves · via Resveratrol
Periodontitis
Improves · via Resveratrol
Colon Cancer
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Obesity
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Cardiovascular Disease
Reduces risk of · via Resveratrol
Parkinson's disease
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Alzheimer's disease
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Cancer
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Advanced Glycation End Products
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Heart disease
Protects against · via Resveratrol
Age-Related Hearing Loss
Protects against · via Polyphenols
Oxidative Stress
Protects against · via Vitamin B12
Premature Hair Graying
Addresses · via Vitamin B12
Cognitive decline
Reduces risk of · via Vitamin B12
Stroke
Protects against · via Vitamin B12
Bone Fracture
Protects against · via Vitamin B12
Osteoporosis
Protects against · via Vitamin B12

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