Season lamb shanks with salt and pepper.

Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over high heat until lightly smoking.

Add lamb shanks and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides (about 10 minutes).

Remove shanks and set aside.

Add onions and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly softened (about 2 minutes).

Add garlic and bay leaves and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

Add chicken broth and return shanks to pot.

Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, cover, and cook until lamb shanks are tender and meat is pulling away from the bone (about 2 hours).

For best results, let broth cool completely overnight in refrigerator, scrape off fat, and return to heat the next day. Otherwise, skim fat with a ladle or large spoon.

Remove the shanks from the stock, and once cool enough to handle gently remove the meat from the bones and tear into bite-sized pieces. Reserve.

Bring stock back to a simmer and add carrot, parsnip, potato, and pearl barley.

Cook until barley is tender, about 25 minutes then return shredded meat to the pot.

Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir in parsley, and serve.