Tesco Lamb Shanks in Mint Gravy

...in the freezer section at Tesco and you will find these wonderful slow cooked Lamb Shanks in mint gravy. Each box contains 2 generous portions with a total weight of 750g, and is priced at £4.49
The lamb shanks are packed individually in a plastic bag (very similar to the type used for the boil in the bag fish, but obviously much bigger) The fact that they are packed in singles is handy if you are just cooking for one, or as in our household ...
...use three shanks leaving one left over, thus meaning I only need to buy one box the next time, and so on. I have found that the contents of the box always seem to contain one larger shank and a slightly smaller one (wonder if this is meant to be a his and hers thing?)

They can be cooked using 3 different methods

Roasting in the oven (from frozen) for 1 hour (although if cooking 3 then I increase this to 1 hour 30 minutes)
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Take a look in the freezer section at Tesco and you will find these wonderful slow cooked Lamb Shanks in mint gravy. Each box contains 2 generous portions with a total weight of 750g, and is priced at £4.49
The lamb shanks are packed individually in a plastic bag (very similar to the type used for the boil in the bag fish, but obviously much bigger) The fact that they are packed in singles is handy if you are just cooking for one, or as in our household 3, which means I buy two boxes, use three shanks leaving one left over, thus meaning I only need to buy one box the next time, and so on. I have found that the contents of the box always seem to contain one larger shank and a slightly smaller one (wonder if this is meant to be a his and hers thing?)

They can be cooked using 3 different methods

Roasting in the oven (from frozen) for 1 hour (although if cooking 3 then I increase this to 1 hour 30 minutes)
Microwave (need to defrost first), then cook for at least 8 minutes on full power depending on your oven. (Needs to stand then for a further 2 minutes)
Boil in the bag, (from frozen), simply place in a pan of boiling water and cook for 45 minutes

I tend to roast them in the oven as it's more convenient plus the fact I'm not too keen on the thought of boiled lamb. The same can be said of anything that is cooked when you hear a ping.

Cooking in the oven can be a little on the messy side, as removing the shanks from the bag tends to leave your hands rather sticky (it's the gravy that coats the lamb). Once you have successfully placed them in a large dish or roasting tin, it's simply case of covering them with either a lid or foil, and letting them cook slowly in a preheated oven (gas 4) for the allotted time.

Cooking by this method fills your kitchen with the most deliciously, divine aroma, of lamb and mint, a "marriage made in heaven". It certainly gets the tummies rumbling in our house.
Around half way through cooking, I tend to take a peek and also use this opportunity to baste the shanks with the gravy which has melted from the lamb into the roasting tin. It is just then a case of preparing potatoes and vegetables that are to accompany the lamb. Both mashed and roast potatoes go well my two preferring a large dollop of creamy mash, which also helps soak up the gravy, leaving plates clean (apart from the bone from the lamb that is).

Although these lamb shanks are not always equal in size, each one is more than sufficient at providing a generous portion.

The lamb when cooked is meltingly tender, juicy and succulent, which readily leaves the bone with the slightest touch. This makes sense of the saying "nearer the bone, sweeter the meat", it is certainly true in this case.

The gravy from the three shanks I cook tends to amount to about half a pint, which we have found is more than enough. Whilst it is deliciously minty with just a very subtle hint of ginger, it is a little on the thin side. You will find there is no need to put the jar of mint sauce on the table either.

There is nothing sinister hiding in the list of ingredients, but the presence of lactose and maize starch, may be a problem for some.
Whilst the recipe contains no nuts and the factory is nut free, they can't guarantee the same for the ingredients.
And please forgive me for stating the obvious, but this product does contain bones (just the one in each portion)

For those of you watching your waistlines after the indulgence at Christmas, then each portion contains 411 calories (about
21% of the recommended daily amount)

We have had these on numerous occasions and as yet have not been disappointed. At £4.49 for two, I don't feel its bad value for money (£2.24 per portion). Obviously these could work out rather expensive if you are cooking for a larger family.

Despite how delicious these are they do amount to what I would class as a heavy meal, perfect comfort food for this time of year. Even substituting the mash for plain boiled potatoes doesn't lighten the load any. If you have a healthy appetite, then these are sure to hit the mark.

These are definitely worth seeking out and so handy to have in the freezer.

I am sorry to say I can't comment if the flavour or texture differs any using one of the alternative cooking methods due to only have cooked them by the oven method. 

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