Name: Braised Lamb Shanks with Ginger and Five-Spice
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Ingredients: 12 dried shiitake mushrooms; 2 1/2 cups boiling water; 1 3-inch-long piece fresh ginger, peeled, thickly sliced; 3 garlic cloves, peeled; 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro; 4 1/2 tablespoons black bean garlic sauce*; 6 teaspoons peanut oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder**; 6 large lamb shanks (about 1 pound each), excess fat trimmed; 3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions; 3/4 cup dry Sherry; Steamed white rice

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Braised Lamb Shanks with Ginger and Five-SpiceMark Thomas

These Asian-inspired lamb shanks are wrapped and baked in individual foil packets, then placed atop bowls of steamed rice. Serve with stir-fried bok choy or other Chinese greens. What to drink: Asian lager beer or a fruity red Zinfandel.

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