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Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy-bottomed casserole, season the shanks, then brown them 2 at a time on all sides, adding the remaining oil for the second batch. Remove the lamb and add the onions. Fry them quite briskly, about 30 secs, add the ginger, garlic and chopped chilli, then turn the heat down and cook for 1 min. Add 1 tbsp sugar, stir, then add the star anise, lemongrass, stock, purรฉe and seasoning. Bring to the boil.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips โ not a chatbot.
How long does Vietnamese lamb shanks with sweet potatoes take?
1 hr 11 min all in โ 10 min prep, 1 hr 1 min cook. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Fish. Labels are informational โ check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget โ about $8โ16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Oven, Frying pan, Dutch oven.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Fish sauce โ 2 tbsp. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much sugar?
1 tbsp of Sugar.
How much sugar?
1 tsp of Sugar.
How much fish sauce?
2 tbsp of Fish sauce.
What can I use instead?
onion โ shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have. garlic (garlic powder or a pinch of onion) โ garlic powder or a pinch of onion. 1 clove โ ยผ tsp garlic powder. The fresh bite will be missing. chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) โ paprika or chilli flakes. Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat. lemon โ lime. Same acidity, different perfume. Taste before you repeat the squeeze. tomato (passata or canned chopped tomatoes) โ passata or canned chopped tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are often better than pale fresh ones out of season. potato (sweet potato or another starchy side) โ sweet potato or another starchy side. Cook time changes. Sweet potato browns faster.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.