Fool everyone into believing that this richly flavoured casserole is drenched in wine – when the secret ingredient is a low price balsamic vinegar perked up with some dried porcini mushrooms.
SERVES 4
PREP 15 MINS
COOK 1 HOUR 30 MINS
30g dried porcini dried mushrooms
4 small lamb shanks (Asda are the best value)
1tbsp poultry seasoning (we used Barts)
2tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
150ml balsamic vinegar
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1tbsp sundried tomato paste
500g baby chantenay carrots
2 x 400g can cans cannellini beans
1 Heat the oven to 180C, Gas 4. Put the dried mushrooms in a bowl and cover with 100ml boiling water to soften.
2 Sprinkle the lamb shanks with poultry seasoning, salt and ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole, add lamb and brown for 10 mins, turning as needed. Add onion and celery and cook for 5 mins to soften.
3 Pour in vinegar, tomatoes, tomato paste and carrots, bring to the boil, cover and oven cook for 1 hr 30 mins until meat and vegetables are tender. Cool completely.
4 Freeze in a foil container. Warm through from frozen at 150C, Gas 3 for 2 hours. Serve with crusty bread.
Per serving: 625 cals, 24g fat (8g saturated), 47g carbs