Lamb Shanks with Orzo and Feta

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http://cookingwiththemark.blogspot.com/

This dish is incredibly good!

Ingredients
3 lamb shanks
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cups chicken broth or stock
A few rosemary sprigs
1/2 c fresh lemon juice
2 T grated lemon peel
1 1/2 c orzo
1 1/2 c feta cheese, crumbled

Directions
Bake the lamb shanks for 2 hours at 350°. Remove from oven and when cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone and chop into bite-size pieces. Meanwhile, saute onions until lightly browned. While doing this, combine the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon peel and boil until it's reduced to 2 cups. Set aside. Then boil the orzo in plenty of water for 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Assemble all the ingredients in a large, oven-proof pot, cover and bake for 45 minutes. Remove rosemary sprigs and serve.

[LancetChick]

1. Hey thanks, this looks good!

I haven't had lamb shanks in a while, so I'm due.

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2. It was pretty amazing.

I haven't made it ages. Probably 20 years. It was a big hit. Once again.

[LancetChick]

3. I made this yesterday, and it was very good.

With the lemony chicken broth and feta cheese, it made the orzo seem risotto-y, and cutting up cooked lamb shanks was a nice touch because it allows you to do a better job of removing the fat than keeping the shanks whole does. Delicate lemon flavor. Lovely. A little labor-intensive, especially if there's no one to help you with the dishes.

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5. Glad you liked it

And you're right. It is pretty labor intensive. But definitely worth it. It's a good special occasion meal.

[TheManInTheMac]

4. Sounds wonderful, but please tell me you are not wasting that wonderful marrow from the bones?

Spread some of that on some bruschetta or toast as an appetizer.