Lamb Shank Tourtière Recipe
This lamb shank tourtière recipe brings together rich braised lamb, flaky puff pastry, and vibrant accompaniments in a modern reinterpretation of a Canadian classic. Featured on CombiNation, this dish blends French-Canadian tourtière tradition with Greek-inspired aromatics and Mediterranean balance, resulting in a refined, plated entrée that is both comforting and elegant.
The Inspiration
Tourtière is a beloved dish in Canadian cuisine, traditionally prepared as a savory meat pie often served during holidays and gatherings. This version elevates the concept by deconstructing the pie and presenting its elements in a contemporary, plated format using slow-braised lamb shank as the centerpiece.
On CombiNation, Bianca Osbourne explores the intersection of Canadian comfort food and global culinary influences. The lamb is braised in a deeply flavored veal demi-glace infused with warm spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg—flavors that subtly echo Mediterranean and Middle Eastern profiles often found in Greek cooking.
Ingredients
Lamb Shanks and Gravy
- Oil, to sauté
- 2 small yellow onions, chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 12 cloves
- 1 nutmeg, grated
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ½ quarts (1.5 L) veal demi-glace
- ¼ cup (60 ml) all-purpose flour, toasted in the oven until golden brown
- ½ cup (120 ml) butter
- 4 lamb shanks
- Salt and pepper
‘Ketchup’
- 12 grape tomatoes
- ½ cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic reduction
- ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
- Salt and pepper
Peas
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 cups peas
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) crème fraiche
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup (120 ml) cold butter, cut into cubes
Puff pastry
- 1 sheet prepared puff pastry, room temperature
- 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
- Kosher salt
Method
For the Lamb Shanks and Gravy
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions, carrots, and garlic 1-2 minutes, until soft.
- Add the bay leaf, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, thyme, and cloves. Add veal demi, and bring to a simmer.
- In a small pan, cook down flour and butter to form a tight roux, then whisk the roux into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C). Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron over medium high heat. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown on all sides. Drain excess oil.
- Pour vegetable-veal demi mixture into the cast iron pan with the shanks, bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover with parchment paper and foil.
- Transfer to oven, cook for 3 hours, until tender.
- Gently remove the shanks from the braising liquid and reserve. Strain the sauce and discard the solids.
- Place sauce back in a pot and reduce over medium high heat by one third. Season with salt and pepper.
- Gently remove nice large muscles from the bones, whole and intact.
- Before serving, add the muscles to a skillet over medium heat and baste with sauce, until warmed though.
For the ‘Ketchup’
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, balsamic reduction, honey, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a shallow dish.
- Cut grape tomatoes in half, place, cut side down into the marinade and let sit for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
- For the Peas:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Heat oil in a separate pan over high heat and sauté the onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes until starting to soften.
- Blanch peas in boiling salted water, for 45 seconds, then transfer to the pan with the onions.
- Add crème fraiche, season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes, until hot.
- Transfer to a high speed blender and process until smooth.
- While the blender is running, add cubes of cold butter, 1 at a time, until they have all been incorporated.
- When perfectly smooth, remove the puree and transfer to a squeeze bottle.
For the Puff Pastry
- Preheat an oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Cut puff pastry sheet into strips 3×3 inch (7.5×7.5 cm) squares, transfer to a lined baking sheet.
- Brush with egg wash and season with kosher salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Remove from oven and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
To Serve
- Carefully remove the top part of the puff pastry squares.
- Place a bottom onto a plate, top with one nice muscle of braised lamb. Drizzle tourtière gravy over top
- Place dots of pea puree around pastry.
- Place ‘ketchup’ near the puree.
- Finish by covering with the top half of the puff pastry.
Serving Suggestions
This lamb shank tourtière is best served as a composed main course for formal dinners or special occasions where presentation plays a key role. Its rich, savory profile pairs well with lighter starters such as fresh green salads, citrus-dressed vegetables, or seafood-based appetizers that help balance the meal.
For wine pairings, a full-bodied red such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or a Rhône-style blend complements the richness of the lamb and the depth of the gravy. Alternatively, a lighter red like Pinot Noir can provide balance without overwhelming the dish. The balsamic “ketchup” and pea purée introduce acidity and freshness, which also pair well with wines that have bright fruit and structured tannins.