Sofrito-Braised Lamb Shanks with Sweet Plantain Purée

Ingredients

• For the Sofrito-Braised Lamb Shanks
• 4 lamb shanks
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 1 large onion, diced 🧅
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped 🫑
• 0.5 red bell pepper, chopped ❤️🫑
• 4 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
• 0.5 cup sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 0.5 tsp cumin
• 2 cups beef broth 🥣
• 0.5 cup dry white wine (optional) 🍷
• Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
• For the Sweet Plantain Purée
• 3 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots)
• 1 tbsp butter 🧈
• 0.25 cup warm milk 🥛
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional) ✨
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. 1Step 1: Brown the Shanks
2. 2Pat the lamb shanks dry and season with salt and pepper.
3. 3In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. 4Brown the shanks on all sides (about 3–4 mins per side). Remove and set aside. 🔥
5. 5Step 2: Build the Flavor
6. 6In the same pot, add onion, peppers, and garlic. Sauté until softened (5–7 mins).
7. 7Stir in sofrito, tomato paste, paprika, and cumin. Cook for 2 mins. 🍳
8. 8Add beef broth and wine. Bring to a simmer.
9. 9Step 3: Braise it Low and Slow
10. 10Return shanks to the pot. Cover and reduce to low heat.
11. 11Braise for 2 to 2.5 hours until tender and falling off the bone. 🕰️🍖
12. 12Step 4: Sweet Plantain Purée
13. 13Boil plantains (peeled and cut into chunks) for 15–20 mins until soft.
14. 14Drain and blend with butter, milk, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until creamy. 🍌✨