Can I Use An Alternative To Lentils For The Aromatic Lamb Shank Stew?

Our answer

Nigella's Aromatic Lamb Shank Stew (from NIGELLA BITES) takes inspiration from the spiced lamb stews found in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Lentils are added to the stews to add body to the sauce, as well as thickening it.

The lentils soften and break down in the sauce, so you shouldn't really notice them in the stew. However, if you can't use lentils then you can simmer the stew without the lid on for slightly longer to reduce the sauce a bit more, though it will still be thinner in consitency than if the lentils were added. You could also thicken the sauce with some cornflour (cornstarch) just before serving the stew. Mix equal quantities of cornflour and cold water in a bowl, add several spoonfuls of the hot sauce from the pot and then add this mixture a tablespoon at a time to the stew. You will need to make sure that the sauce comes up to a bubble after each addition of the cornflour mixture as otherwise the cornflour will not thicken the sauce. It is difficult to tell exactly how much cornflour is needed, but continue adding the cornflour mixture a tablespoon at a time, letting the sauce bubble in between additions, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.