FOOD: Spiced lamb shanks with quince.

Serves 4

– 1 tbsp olive oil

– 4 lamb shanks

– large knob of butter

– 2 large onions, halved then cut into wedges

– 4 garlic cloves, crushed

– 4 strips zest from 1 lemon, plus the juice

– 2 tsp ground cinnamon

– 2 tsp ground coriander

– 1 tsp ground ginger

– 1 tsp ground cumin

– good pinch of saffron strands

– 1 heaped tbsp tomato puree

– 1 tbsp clear honey

– 400ml good lamb or beef stock

– 2 quinces, peeled, quartered and cored

Preheat oven to 230ºC.

Season the shanks, place in a baking dish in the oil and brown in the oven (turning them once) for 10 minutes, or until dark golden all over.

Meanwhile, in a casserole dish or large pan, melt the butter on the stove. Soften the onions for 10 minutes on a medium heat until they’re turning golden, then add the garlic. Remove the shanks from the oven and turn the oven down to 160ºC.

Add the strips of lemon zest and spices to the onion pan. Cook for one minute, then stir in the tomato puree, honey, stock and half the lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and then pour over the shanks in the baking tray. Arrange the quince quarters in and around the meat. Cover with a lid or a layer of aluminium foil and braise in the oven for two hours.

Remove the lid or foil, return to the oven and cook for 30 minutes more. Spoon away any excess fat. The sauce will be fairly thin, so if you prefer a thicker stew, remove the lamb and quinces to a serving plate, then boil the cooking juices until thickened. Season, add the remaining lemon juice and serve with the lamb. This is beautiful with some fluffy couscous or a rice pilaf and crisp green salad.

Since you are going to the trouble of a long braise, you may want to extend it to another meal. This is also an excellent base for a fabulous soup. Times all the ingredients by half again and cook as per the recipe. Strip the meat from the extra two shanks and reserve some of the cooking juices. Dilute with stock until it resembles a thick soup consistency, add a tin of cooked chickpeas and some roasted pumpkin pieces. Adjust the seasoning and serve with grilled flatbread and a dollop of yoghurt.

Wine pairing:

2014 The Bridge shiraz, Heathcote ($45) – Peter Watt, sommelier, du Fermier