Lamb Shanks with Pears and Pistachios

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Place lamb in a large roasting pan. Sprinkle 1/4 cup salt over; toss to coat. Loosely cover with foil or plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours.

   Step 2

   Preheat broiler. Divide shanks between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Broil lamb 1 sheet at a time, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes per batch.

   Step 3

   Reduce oven to 350°. Heat oil in a large roasting pan over 2 burners set to medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; sautée until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add ground cardamom and cinnamon stick and season generously with salt; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in pomegranate juice and 3 cups water, scraping up browned bits. Add 3/4 cup pistachios and reserved lamb, arranging the meatier part of the shanks in the liquid with bones facing upward. Cover pan tightly with a double layer of foil.

   Step 4

   Transfer roasting pan to the oven. Cook, basting and turning shanks every hour, until meat is tender and almost falling off the bone, about 3 hours.

   Step 5

   Uncover pan. Add whole pears, pushing to submerge; let cool completely at room temperature. Cover; chill overnight. Chop remaining 1/4 cup pistachios; cover and store airtight at room temperature.

   Step 6

   Preheat oven to 450°. Scrape fat from surface of braising liquid in pan; discard. Heat lamb mixture over 2 burners set to medium heat, occasionally shifting shanks and stirring juices, until warmed through, 10–15 minutes. Gently transfer shanks to a large rimmed baking sheet. Spoon 1 cup braising liquid over. Roast, basting occasionally, until glazed, 15–20 minutes.

   Step 7

   Meanwhile, add rose water to roasting pan with pears and bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce thickens, 10–12 minutes.

   Step 8

   Remove pears and reserve. Without pressing on solids, strain sauce into a bowl or measuring cup. Skim fat from surface.

   Step 9

   Place 1 lamb shank in each bowl. Drizzle sauce over lamb. Sprinkle with herbs and reserved pistachios and serve with pears.