Greek lamb with spinach and orzo is a classic dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The lamb is slow-cooked until it is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the spinach and orzo add a delicious balance of flavors and textures. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal, and it is sure to become a family favorite.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
"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.
BAKED LAMB AND ORZO (ARNI YOUVETSI)
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Rub the lamb with olive oil and sprinkle very liberally with salt and pepper. Sear the lamb in a heavy bottomed skillet. Transfer to a casserole dish.
- Add a little olive oil to the skillet, then add the onions. Cook until tender, then stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook until they start to become incorporated with the onions. Add the diced tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the liquid to the lamb casserole. Cover it and bake until the lamb is very tender, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Add the orzo and stir. Add some hot water if it starts to look dry and continue to bake, uncovered, until the orzo is cooked, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Serve pieces of the lamb alongside the orzo and top generously with your choice of cheese.
GREEK LAMB WITH SPINACH AND ORZO
One of my very favorite recipes (can't recall where I got it anymore)... easy and so delicious! Even non-lamb eaters like this one. This reheats very well. I serve it with a salad and pita bread.
Provided by anni703
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 8h15m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Trim fat from meat. Cut to fit into 3.5-6Qt. slow cooker. Combine oregano, lemon peel, garlic, and salt in small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over lamb and rub lightly. Place lamb in crockpot. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours.
- Remove lamb, discard fat, chop meat and set aside. Add spinach to cooker (with juices), stirring until spinach is wilted. Add cooked orzo, feta, and lamb; stir to mix.
- A sprinkling of toasted pine nuts (pignoli) is a nice touch.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 72.4, Fat 4.5, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 17.8, Sodium 362.2, Carbohydrate 4.7, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 1.4, Protein 4.6
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
LAMB WITH ORZO
Looking to switch up you slow-cooker staples? Consider this lamb entree. A terrific meal-in-one, it certainly adds flair to dinnertime doldrums. A splash of lmeon juice and zesty lemon peel complement the flavors of fresh spinach and feta cheese.-Dan Kelmenson, West Bloomfield, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 8h30m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut roast in half. Place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Drizzle with lemon juice. Sprinkle with the garlic, oregano, lemon zest and salt. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender. , Cook orzo according to package directions. Remove lamb from slow cooker. Shred meat with two forks; set aside and keep warm. , Skim fat from cooking juices if necessary; return 1 cup cooking juices to slow cooker. Add one package of spinach. Cook on high for 5-10 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Drain orzo; add to spinach mixture. Stir in reserved meat and 1/2 cup feta cheese. , To serve, arrange remaining fresh spinach on nine individual plates. Top with lamb mixture. Sprinkle each with remaining feta cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 438 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 105mg cholesterol, Sodium 333mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 41g protein.
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
SPINACH, LAMB AND ORZO SOUP
Provided by Anastasia Williams
Categories Soup/Stew Pasta Lunch Lamb Shank Spinach Summer Bon Appétit California
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring water and chicken broth to boil in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat. Add lamb shanks, carrot, chopped onion, celery and bay leaf and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lamb is tender, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Transfer lamb to plate and cool slightly. Remove meat from bone and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Strain cooking liquid and reserve.
- In same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onion and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes. Add reserved cooking liquid, lamb meat and orzo. Cook soup over medium heat until orzo is tender but still firm to bite, about 20 minutes. Add spinach to soup and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Soup can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring soup to simmer before serving.) Ladle soup into bowls. Serve, passing grated Parmesan cheese separately.
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:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The fresher and better the quality of your ingredients, the better your dish will taste. This is especially important for the lamb, spinach, and orzo.
- Marinate the lamb: Marinating the lamb in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs will help to tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
- Cook the lamb over medium heat: Cooking the lamb over medium heat will help to prevent it from becoming tough.
- Use a large pot for cooking the orzo: This will help to prevent the orzo from sticking together.
- Season the dish to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste before serving.
Conclusion:
This Greek lamb with spinach and orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The lamb is tender and flavorful, the spinach is wilted and nutritious, and the orzo is cooked to perfection. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table. Note: This is an HTML content with h3 tags and an unordered list. I have removed any notes and "" from the response.
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