Greek Easter roast lamb and orzo is a unique and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Greek culinary traditions. This dish features a succulent and tender lamb leg, roasted to perfection and infused with aromatic herbs and spices, accompanied by fluffy and flavorful orzo pasta. The combination of succulent lamb and the delicate texture of orzo creates a satisfying and delectable meal, making it a cornerstone of Greek Easter celebrations. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to creating an exceptional Greek Easter roast lamb and orzo dish that will impress your family and friends.
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"GREEK" LAMB WITH ORZO
A filling-and exciting-lamb dinner that goes from stove to the table in under an hour. The process is straightforward, but this fragrant, saucy dish doesn't taste that way when it's finished; in terms of eating and cooking, it's a win-win. And you only have to dirty two pots!
Provided by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a good sized Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmering. Add the lamb and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a good grinding of black pepper. Cook, stirring to break it apart, until it is nicely browned. Remove the lamb with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat.
- Return the pot to the stovetop and add olive oil and the onion (still over medium-high). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic. Stir in the spices (cinnamon, oregano, cumin, coriander, and red pepper)and cook until they start smelling toasted and fragrant (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in the whole tomatoes, crushed by hand. Cook the crushed tomatoes in the spices, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Then, add the can of diced tomatoes and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Add the cooked lamb back to the pot, give it a good stir, then cover the pot and leave it to cook, stirring from time to time, for 20 minutes. At this point, stir in the fresh spinach and cook just a couple more minutes until the spinach is wilted. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste (keeping in mind you'll be sprinkling a touch of feta and olives on, which will add to the saltiness). While the lamb and tomatoes are simmering together and marrying their flavors, bring a large pot of well-salted water (it should taste like sea water) to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 7 or 8 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Drain the orzo. Toss the orzo with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon juice, and all of the parsley, adding a bit of pasta water at a time, if you feel it needs additional liquid.Spread the orzo out on an enormous serving platter. Spoon the lamb and sauce all over the top, then sprinkle with the feta and chopped olives. A good red wine, on the dry side, is a highly recommended companion here.
GREEK EASTER ROAST LAMB AND ORZO
Cumulative recipe from a couple family members. My favorite part of Easter.
Provided by CartoonJunkie33
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 4h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Place lamb in a roasting pan. Add mashed tomatoes, onion, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Combine and make sure lamb is well coated. Cover pan with a lid or aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 3 hours. Remove from the oven and remove aluminum foil; leave oven on.
- Add water and orzo directly to the roasting pan. Return to the hot oven and bake until pasta is cooked and very little liquid remains, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add feta cheese and mix until melted and combined.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 469.9 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 104.9 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 36.5 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 672.7 mg, Sugar 3.9 g
GREEK LAMB AND ORZO
This is an easy meal to prepare and it tastes great. You can substitute the lamb with beef if you want. Serve with plain yogurt if desired.
Provided by fire00starter
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the lamb, and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking up into crumbles, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice, celery, orzo, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the orzo is tender and has absorbed the liquid from the tomatoes, about 12 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.1 calories, Carbohydrate 33.6 g, Cholesterol 50.6 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 18.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 445.3 mg, Sugar 6.3 g
GREEK LAMB WITH ORZO
A simple lamb stew. Use an inexpensive cut, like neck, or shoulder-on-the-bone. Adapted from a recipe at FrugalFeeding. http://bit.ly/U4ehYr
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 13m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a stew pot over medium heat, heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil until it shimmers. Add onion, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and oregano, and saute 5-10 minutes, until onion is soft and translucent. Add garlic and saute 30 sec until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl.
- Add remaining oil to pot and heat until shimmering. Add lamb and brown on all sides. Return onion mixture to pot. Squish the tomatoes between your fingers to crush them thoroughly. Add tomatoes and red wine to pot, and add just enough water or stock to cover the lamb.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook 2-3 hours. If the meat has bones, remove them and discard. Add orzo and simmer 10-15 minutes more, until orzo is tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 577.9, Fat 14.5, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 122.4, Sodium 92.9, Carbohydrate 51.7, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 5.9, Protein 47
GREEK LAMB WITH ORZO
Entertaining doesn't have to equal stress, this spruced up one-pot is perfect for people with little time for preparation
Provided by Mary Cadogan
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 2h55m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cut the lamb into 4cm chunks, then spread over the base of a large, wide casserole dish. Add the onions, oregano, cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon and olive oil, then stir well. Bake, uncovered, for 45 mins, stirring halfway.
- Pour over the chopped tomatoes and stock, cover tightly, then return to the oven for 1½ hrs, until the lamb is very tender.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks, then stir in the orzo. Cover again, then cook for a further 20 mins, stirring halfway through. The orzo should be cooked and the sauce thickened. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve with crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 696 calories, Fat 36 grams fat, SaturatedFat 16 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 58 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 40 grams protein, Sodium 0.68 milligram of sodium
GREEK LAMB AND ORZO
Dinner ready in 20 minutes! Enjoy this hearty lamb and pasta recipe - perfect if you love Greek cuisine.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook lamb in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomatoes, celery, pasta, salt and red pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer about 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until tomato liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender. Serve with yogurt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 375, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 560 mg
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of lamb: A leg of lamb or shoulder roast is a good choice for this recipe. Look for a roast that is evenly marbled with fat, as this will help to keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Prepare the lamb ahead of time: If you have time, marinate the lamb overnight in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. This will help to infuse the meat with flavor.
- Roast the lamb at a high temperature: This will help to create a crispy crust on the outside of the meat while keeping the inside moist and juicy.
- Baste the lamb regularly: This will help to keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out.
- Let the lamb rest before carving: This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful roast.
- Serve the lamb with your favorite sides: Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and a simple salad are all good options.
Conclusion:
Greek Easter Roast Lamb and Orzo is a delicious and traditional dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The lamb is tender and juicy, and the orzo is cooked to perfection. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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