Ingredients (serves 8)

• 1 cup plain flour
• 8 large French-trimmed lamb shanks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, unpeeled, cut into 1cm slices 
• Carrot ( I add this)
  
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 cups beef consomme
• 3/4 cup red wine
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Method

1.  Preheat oven to 180°C. Place flour and salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly coat shanks with flour. Heat oil in a saucepan over high heat. Cook shanks, in batches, for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a large roasting pan.
2.  Add onions and garlic to saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until soft. Add consomme, wine and maple syrup. Stir to combine. Bring to the boil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over shanks and cover pan tightly with foil. Roast for 1 1/4 hours. Remove foil. Turn shanks and roast for 45 minutes or until tender.
3.  Transfer shanks to a platter and cover to keep warm. Strain cooking liquid through a sieve. Discard onions. Return liquid to pan. Mix cornflour and water in a bowl until smooth. Stir into liquid and bring to the boil, stirring, over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced slightly. Serve shanks with gravy, cheese and herb mash and steamed cabbage