Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes

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Lamb
Vietnamese
IngredientQuantity
1Ground Nut Oil2 tablespoons
2Lamb Shanks4
3Onion2
4Ginger2 tbs chopped
5Garlic Clove3 sliced thinly
6Red Chilli1 chopped
7Red Chilli1 sliced
8Brown Sugar1 tablespoon
9Brown Sugar1 tsp
10Star Anise3
11Lemongrass Stalks2
12Lamb Stock1L
13Tomato Puree1 ½ tbsp
14Sweet Potatoes4
15Fish Sauce2 tablespoons
16LimeJuice of 2
17MintHandful
18Basil LeavesHandful

Instructions

step 1 Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy-bottomed casserole, season the shanks, then brown them 2 at a time on all sides, adding the remaining oil for the second batch. Remove the lamb and add the onions. Fry them quite briskly, about 30 secs, add the ginger, garlic and chopped chilli, then turn the heat down and cook for 1 min. Add 1 tbsp sugar, stir, then add the star anise, lemongrass, stock, purée and seasoning. Bring to the boil. step 2 Cover and cook in the oven for 1½ hrs, then add the sweet potatoes and cook for 1 hr more. The lamb should be completely tender and almost falling off the bones. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice and 1 tsp sugar to just lift the flavour, then scatter with the mint, basil and the sliced chilli to serve.