Lamb Shanks with Buttered Rice

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks, around 13 oz / 400g each
• 1 tsp cooking/kosher salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2–3 tbsp olive oil, separated
• 1 onion, finely diced (brown, yellow, or white)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup carrot, peeled, finely diced
• 1 cup celery, finely diced
• 2 1/2 cups red wine (full-bodied)
• 800g / 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock (or water)
• 5 sprigs of thyme (or 2 tsp dried thyme)
• 2 dried bay leaves (or 4 fresh)
• 1 cup Royal ® Authentic Basmati Rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste
• Fresh thyme leaves (optional garnish)