Stracci with Braised Lamb Ragu - Chef Recipe by Curtis Stone

Ingredients

Ragu
2 large lamb shanks (about 1 kg total)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, smashed
1 long red chilli, finely chopped
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
15 Sicilian or other brined green olives, pitted and quartered

Chilli Gremolata
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 long red chilli, finely chopped
300 g lasagne sheets, broken into 5 cm pieces

3 tsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 Tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Method

To make the lamb ragu, season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. Heat a large pressure cooker over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil and then the lamb and cook, turning occasionally for about 8 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Remove the lamb from the pot and discard the fat.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the sliced onion, garlic and chilli to the pot and cook, stirring often, for about 8 minutes, or until the onion is tender and beginning to caramelise. Add 1 1/2 cups of the crushed tomatoes and the water and return the lamb to the pot.

Lock the pressure cooker lid in place and bring to high pressure over high heat, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low to stabilise the pressure and cook the lamb for 50 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the pressure to subside on its own, about 20 minutes.

Unlock the pressure cooker and remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow the steam to escape. Spoon any scum and oil from the top of the braising liquid. Set aside until the lamb is cool enough to handle, then pull the meat from the bones; discard the bones and cartilage and set the meat aside.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes to the pressure cooker, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced by one third. Add the lamb meat to the sauce and stir in the olives. Remove the pot from the heat and season the ragu to taste with salt and pepper. Cover to keep hot while the pasta cooks.

Meanwhile, to make the gremolata, in a small bowl, mix the parsley, lemon zest, and chopped chilli. Set aside.

To cook the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until tender but firm to the bite. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Return the ragu to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Gently stir the pasta into the ragu and cook for about 1 minute, adding the reserved pasta water to moisten the mixture as needed. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter and parmesan cheese. Divide the pasta among four bowls. Sprinkle the gremolata and a little more parmesan cheese over the top and serve immediately.

Credits: Good Food, Good Life by Curtis Stone (Ebury Australia, $39.95)