lamb Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Rustic Lamb Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle

Rustic Lamb Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle, Ricotta & Mint

This ragù smells like it’s been simmering all afternoon, but it comes together quickly — thanks to fully cooked braised lamb shanks from Costco. Tender and deeply flavored, the meat is simply shredded and folded into the sauce, where it soaks up all the tomato, wine, and variety of spices.

The sauce starts with a classic soffritto of onion, celery, and carrot softened in olive oil until golden and aromatic. A splash of red wine and a spoonful of tomato paste deepen the flavor, followed by fire-roasted tomatoes and a bit of beef broth. The mixture comes briefly to a boil, then simmers for about 20 minutes — enough time for the flavors to meld into a beautifully rustic ragù.

Tossed with fresh pappardelle and finished with a bit of butter, each ribbon of pasta clings to the rich sauce. A scoop of creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of fresh mint brighten the dish, while chili flakes on the side add optional heat.

In under an hour, this Rustic Lamb Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle delivers all the warmth, depth, and soul of a slow-cooked Sunday supper — no hours required, just smart shortcuts and robust seasoning.

Rustic Lamb Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle

Rustic Lamb Ragù Recipe

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Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri
Garlicky Smoked Creme Fraiche & Lemony Arugula Salad

Juicy lamb rib chops are cut from the rack and cooked to medium with a nice crust. Each chop gets a spoonful of chimichurri right on the tip of the meat for a fresh, herby kick. They’re served over a bed of peppery arugula tossed with lemon, and come with a side of garlicky smoked crème fraîche for dipping. It’s an impressive yet effortless starter guaranteed to disappear in minutes.

Chops go straight from the fridge into a hot pan—rubbed with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, and seared over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side. Rested before serving so they stay tender and flavorful.

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri Recipe

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Braised Lamb Shank, Pomegranate Fig Sauce, Saffron Basmati

Braised Lamb Shank, Pomegranate Fig Sauce
Spiced Saffron Basmati with Lentils and Golden Raisins

This quick lamb shank dinner joins my Lamb Shanks with Smoky Cassoulet Beans, Kalamata Olives, and Cherry Tomatoes, and another for Lamb Shanks over Boursin Cheese Polenta. The lamb shanks are slow braised in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce with pomegranate juice and figs. The meat is incredibly tender and flavorful. It comes 2 shanks to a package and can be found in the refrigerated section at Costco under the “A La Carte” brand.

The dish Braised Lamb Shank with Pomegranate Fig Sauce and Spiced Saffron Basmati is not a traditional recipe from one specific culture, but is strongly inspired by Persian and broader Middle Eastern flavors.

Sumac — a deep red, lemony spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine adds another layer of intrigue. The lamb is very savory and rich, the rice is fragrant and slightly sweet, together they welcome a dusting of sumac to balance and enliven the dish.

Braised Lamb Shank, Pomegranate Fig Sauce, Saffron Basmati

Lamb Shank Dinner

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Gochujang Lamb Shanks, Polenta, Fresh Greens, Hot Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Lamb Shanks
Creamy Parmesan Polenta
Fresh Wild Arugula, Mint, Scallions
Hot Mustard Sesame Garlic Sauce

Gochujang brings a fiery kick, while daikon radish provides a crisp, peppery contrast to the creamy polenta. A bold hot mustard sauce balances beautifully with the rich succulent meat. These lamb shanks are slow-braised in a tangy, sweet, and savory blend of pomegranate juice and figs, then finished under the broiler for a crispy exterior and meltingly tender, flavorful interior.

With its sweet heat and deep, fermented umami notes, gochujang—Korean red chili paste—offers a balanced fruitiness, a hint of smokiness, and layers of flavor from sun-dried Korean red peppers. It complements the meat and pomegranate-fig sauce perfectly, resulting in a dish bursting with vibrant flavors, contrasting textures, bold aromas, and a wild presentation.

Gochujang Lamb Shanks, Polenta, Fresh Greens, Hot Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Lamb Shanks Recipe

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Lamb Shanks with Cassoulet Beans

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans

Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks
Smoky Cassoulet Beans
With Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Gremolata Condiment

This is the second of two quick, slow-braised lamb shank dinners. QUICK and SLOW? Yes, as the lamb shanks are already slow-braised, from the refrigerated section at Costco. Are they as good as home-cooked braised shanks that take 2 1/2 hours? Of course not, but for a fast impressive meal, they rock. And the beautiful beans here are cooked one day ahead so assembling the entire dish takes less than 30 minutes.

The beans from Rancho Gordo are grown in California from classic French Tarbais seed stock. This white runner bean was developed over generations by French farmers to be the foundation for a traditional cassoulet. The combination of beans, olives, and tomatoes simmered with smoked paprika and red wine paired with lamb is heavenly.

Gremolata – a mix of chopped fresh parsley/lemon zest/garlic – adds an invigorating freshness and brightness to most braised meats. It builds another interesting layer onto this outstanding dish.

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans Recipe

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