Lamb Shank with Minted Peas

Ingredients

• 2 lamb shanks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Handful of fresh mint, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Mashed potatoes, to serve

Instructions

1. To begin, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large ovenproof dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Now, let's get those lamb shanks sizzling! Season the shanks with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot oil until they are nice and brown on all sides. This will take about 5 minutes per side.
2. Next, remove the lamb shanks from the dish and set them aside. In the same dish, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook them until they are soft and golden, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to let the flavors meld together.
   
   
3. Now, it's time to bring back the lamb shanks. Place them back in the dish and pour in the chicken stock. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and pop it into the preheated oven. Let the lamb shanks cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
   
   
4. While the lamb shanks are cooking away, let's prepare the minted peas. In a small saucepan, heat the peas with a splash of water over medium heat. Once the peas are warmed through, stir in the chopped mint and season with salt and pepper.
5. To serve, spoon the minted peas onto a plate, top with a luscious lamb shank, and serve with a generous dollop of creamy mashed potatoes. This dish is sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters!