Lamb Shanks in Red Wine Sauce

Bahan-bahan (4 porsi)

• 4 lamb shanks (, around 13 oz / 400g each (Note 1))
• 1 tsp EACH cooking/kosher salt and pepper
• 2 - 3 tbsp olive oil (, separated)
• 1 onion (, finely diced (brown, yellow or white))
• 3 g arlic cloves (, minced)
• 1 cup carrot (, peeled, finely diced (Note 2))
• 1 cup celery (, finely diced (Note 2))
• 2 1/2 cups red wine ((full bodied (good value wine, not expensive! Note 3))
• 800 g / 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken stock (, low sodium (or water))
• 5 sprigs of thyme ((preferably tied together), or 2 tsp dried thyme)
• 2 dried bay leaves ((or 4 fresh))
• Mashed potato (, polenta or pureed cauliflower)
• Fresh thyme leaves (, optional garnish)