Best 4 Baked Lamb And Orzo Arni Youvetsi Recipes

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**Baked Lamb and Orzo (Arni Youvetsi): A Culinary Symphony of Greece**

Journey to the heart of Greek cuisine with arni youvetsi, a delectable dish that harmonizes tender lamb, plump orzo, and an orchestra of Mediterranean flavors. This traditional one-pot wonder, hailing from the Peloponnese region, captivates with its aromatic embrace of oregano, bay leaves, and cinnamon. Savor the melt-in-your-mouth lamb slow-baked in a rich tomato sauce, while the orzo absorbs the tantalizing flavors, creating a harmonious symphony of textures. Discover the secrets to crafting this culinary masterpiece, from selecting the finest ingredients to perfecting the delicate balance of spices. Unleash your inner chef and embark on a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds to the sun-kissed hills of Greece.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

YOUVETSI (TRADITIONAL GREEK ORZO BAKE)



Youvetsi (Traditional Greek Orzo Bake) image

If you are looking for an authentic dish from Greece, this recipe is for you! I grew up eating this, one of my favorite meals! It's usually made with veal or lamb stew meat but my family has always used chicken, which is delicious! You can use whichever you prefer! Either way this baked orzo dish will melt in your mouth! It may sound like a lot of work, but the preparation is very little! The majority of it is cooking time!

Provided by STEFADOURAKI

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 2h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ cup olive oil
3 pounds cubed lamb stew meat
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, pureed in a food processor
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
½ teaspoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup butter
1 pound uncooked orzo pasta
3 cups hot water

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 575.6 calories, Carbohydrate 37.6 g, Cholesterol 109.8 mg, Fat 35.2 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 27.3 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 234.8 mg, Sugar 4 g

LAMB BAKED WITH ORZO



Lamb Baked with Orzo image

Try this classic Greek recipe from chef Vefa Alexiadou's "Vefa's Kitchen" cookbook for a warm and filling family dinner.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Lamb Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup olive oil
3 1/4 pounds lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-to-2 1/2-inch pieces
3 cups pureed tomatoes, peeled, fresh or canned
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound 2 ounces orzo pasta
3 cups hot water
1 tomato, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated kefalotiri or Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add lamb, working in batches if necessary, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Return lamb to skillet and add pureed tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet. Add orzo and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer orzo to a large baking dish or six individual sized baking dishes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Transfer lamb mixture to baking dish or dishes with orzo. Carefully add hot water to dish and cover with parchment paper-lined aluminum foil. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to oven; bake for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Remove baking dish from oven and top lamb with tomato slices and cheese; season with salt and pepper. Return to oven and bake, uncovered, adding a little more water if necessary, until liquid is almost completely absorbed and pasta is al dente, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately with more cheese, if desired.

ARNI YOUVETSI (LAMB AND ORZO)



Arni Youvetsi (Lamb and Orzo) image

This is a traditional 'Sunday Lunch' dish. The orzo (a kind of pasta that is shaped like large grains of rice) cooks in the liquid released by the lamb and tomato and becomes very tasty. Many make it with a cut of beef suitable for roasting, cut into large pieces, or even with chicken pieces.

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 lb leg of lamb
2 Tbsp lemon juice, fresh
1 tsp oregano, dried
1/2 tsp thyme, dried
1 c red wine
1/2 c butter, melted or olive oil, extra virgin
1 1/2 c water
2 lb fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and pureed
1 large onion, minced
2 clove garlic, minced
1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon (depending on your taste)
1 lb orzo pasta, uncooked
freshly grated parmesan or kefalotiri cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 375-degrees.
  • 2. Wash and pat dry the leg of lamb. Rub with the lemon juice and pour melted butter or olive oil over. Season generously with salt, pepper, oregano and thyme. Place in a large baking pan and pour wine, 1 cup water, the tomato puree, minced onion, garlic and cinnamon around meat (if you have an earthenware casserole - even better!).
  • 3. Give the sauce a stir and roast, turning meat over occasionally when you see a crust forming (to brown all sides) for 1 to 1 1/2 hours (note: Greeks like their lamb well-done, if you prefer a shorter cooking time, cook to your personal preference).
  • 4. 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.
  • 5. Increase heat to 400-degrees 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.
  • 6. Have lots of freshly-grated parmesan or kefalotiri cheese to sprinkle over pasta at table.

ARNI YOUVETSI (LAMB AND ORZO)



Arni Youvetsi (Lamb and Orzo) image

This is a traditional 'Sunday Lunch' dish. The orzo (a kind of pasta that is shaped like large grains of rice) cooks in the liquid released by the lamb and tomato and becomes very tasty. Many make it with a cut of beef suitable for roasting, cut into large pieces, or even with chicken pieces.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

5 -6 lbs leg of lamb (the weight is approximate)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cups water
2 lbs fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and pureed
1 large onion, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (depending on preference)
1 lb orzo pasta
freshly-grated parmesan cheese or kefalotiri

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 957.2, Fat 52.9, SaturatedFat 18.5, Cholesterol 189.9, Sodium 175, Carbohydrate 50.4, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 5.6, Protein 61.5

Tips:

  • Use high-quality lamb for the best flavor. Look for meat that is well-marbled and has a bright red color.
  • If you don't have orzo, you can use another type of small pasta, such as ditalini or macaroni.
  • Be sure to toast the orzo before cooking it. This will help it to develop a nutty flavor and prevent it from sticking together.
  • Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is a great choice.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with the vegetables in this recipe. You can use any type of vegetables that you like, such as carrots, celery, or potatoes.
  • Serve the baked lamb and orzo with a side of tzatziki sauce or Greek salad.

Conclusion:

Baked lamb and orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The lamb is tender and juicy, and the orzo is cooked to perfection. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give baked lamb and orzo a try. You won't be disappointed!

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