When Do I Use The Onions In The Lamb Shanks With Beans?

Asked by Denvercook. Answered on 13th February 2023

Full question

The recipe for Lamb Shanks With Beans in Nigella Express calls for two onions, quartered. No instructions are given for how to use these onions. Can you please clarify?

Lamb Shanks With Beans

By Nigella

Our answer

Nigella's recipe for Lamb Shanks With Beans (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) may not seem to be that quick as it takes two days in total, but the actual hands-on time for the recipe is very short - preparing the marnade for the lamb, putting the dish in the oven and reheating canned mixed beans.

In step 1 of the recipe the two onions are quartered and put into the plastic bags or a large resealable container along with the lamb shanks, wine, redcurrant jelly, Worcestershire sauce, garlic oil and rosemary. After marinating, the lamb shanks and all of the other ingredients, including the onions, are transferred to a roasting pan and cooked in the oven. After cooking, the lamb is removed and at this point the onions would be discarded, but as they should be soft and sweet you could pick them out from the pan and serve them with the lamb, if you like.