Baked Lamb And Orzo Arni Youvetsi Recipes

YOUVETSI (TRADITIONAL GREEK ORZO BAKE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook meat until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the orzo. Saute until slightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer orzo to a baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Remove meat from the saucepan and place on top of the orzo. Pour tomato sauce evenly over meat. Add hot water. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until all water is absorbed and orzo is soft, about 1 hour. If the dish becomes too dry, add more water during baking.

ARNI YOUVETSI (LAMB AND ORZO)

Steps:

• Preaheat oven to 375F (190C).
• Wash and pat dry the leg of lamb. In a large baking pan (if you have an earthenware casserole - even better!), rub lamb with the lemon juice and olive oil over. Season generously with salt, pepper, oregano and thyme. Pour in wine, water, tomato puree, minced onion, garlic and cinnamon around meat. Give the sauce a stir and roast, turning meat over occasionally when you see a crust forming (to brown all sides) for 2 to 3 hours (note: Greeks like their lamb well-done, if you prefer a shorter cooking time, cook to your personal preference).
• In a large saucepan, bring plenty of water to the boil, salt generously and boil the orzo pasta for 8 minutes. Remove and drain - retain a cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the lamb casserole and give everything a stir to distribute orzo throughout the pan.
• Increase heat to 400F (200C) and continue to bake another 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is fully cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid in the pan (it should still be fairly 'juicy' - not dry). If the pasta is too dry, stir in enough of the pasta cooking water you've retained to keep it saucy.
• Have lots of freshly-grated parmesan or kefalotiri cheese to sprinkle over pasta at table.

BAKED LAMB

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the lamb shanks and sear until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the red wine, salt and pepper, sugar, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon sticks. Stir all the ingredients together. Add the fresh tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato paste and 2 cups water. Stir well. Cover and let simmer on medium-low heat until the lamb is tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.