Indulge in the exquisite flavors of tender and juicy lamb meatballs nestled atop a bed of fresh spinach and orzo. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, offering a delightful contrast between the soft and succulent meatballs, the delicate spinach, and the al dente orzo. A symphony of spices, including cumin, coriander, and paprika, dances on your palate, while a hint of lemon zest adds a refreshing brightness. Experiment with different cooking methods; pan-frying, baking, or even grilling, each technique imparts a unique touch to these delightful morsels. Accompany your meatballs with a variety of sauces, from a classic marinara to a creamy mushroom sauce, elevating their taste to new heights. For a vegetarian twist, try the delectable lentil and spinach meatballs, packed with plant-based protein and bursting with flavor. Satisfy your sweet cravings with the indulgent chocolate chip orzo cookies, combining the irresistible flavors of chocolate and orzo in a delightful treat. Explore the versatility of orzo in the delightful orzo salad, a refreshing blend of orzo, vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SPICED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH YOGURT AND HERBS
These spice-loaded meatballs have a Turkish inflection. The warm yogurt sauce adds tang and richness, along with a sprinkling of tart sumac powder and chopped mint. American "Greek-style" yogurt is not always tart enough, but it can be thinned with a bit of buttermilk or even lemon juice. Whisking it with cornstarch and egg produces a silky sauce. Though the ingredient list looks long, this is a simple and impressive dish to make.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, easy, meatballs, main course
Time 1h
Yield 5 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a large bowl, use your hands to combine lamb, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne. Beat 2 of the eggs and add to meat, mixing until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours to allow the seasonings to permeate the meat.
- Using wet hands, break off walnut-sized pieces of lamb mixture, roll into spheres and set aside on a baking sheet. You should have about 30 1-ounce meatballs.
- Heat oven to 225 degrees. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add meatballs in one layer and brown for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. (Work in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan.) Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to blot any extra oil, then pile meatballs on a heatproof serving platter and keep warm in the oven.
- Pour off any excess oil from skillet and turn heat to high. Add broth and bring to a simmer. In a bowl, whisk together yogurt; 1/2 teaspoon salt; remaining egg, beaten; and cornstarch. Pour yogurt mixture in a thin stream into the hot broth, whisking constantly. Turn heat down slightly and continue whisking until yogurt is heated through and slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Do not let mixture boil.
- Pour hot yogurt sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle crumbled feta, sumac and crushed red pepper on top. Finish with pinches of turmeric, if using, and sprinkle with mint, dill and cilantro. Serve immediately with rice, orzo, pita bread or potatoes.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 481, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 599 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
"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 MEATBALLS
I made these as part of a New Year's dinner. Had the lamb and peeked around the kitchen for interesting and delicious things to throw in. I love successful experiments!
Provided by Spiderwoman77
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Ground
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Mix lamb, bread, yogurt, raisins, cilantro, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Shape into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until meatballs are browned on the outsides and only slightly pink in the centers, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 297.6 calories, Carbohydrate 16.1 g, Cholesterol 76.8 mg, Fat 16.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 21.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 234.5 mg, Sugar 7.8 g
LAMB MEATBALLS OVER SPINACH AND ORZO
My husband and I purchase a couple of lambs every year from the 4H at the county fair and I am always looking for ways to use ground lamb.This is a recipe I found in the news paper many years ago when ever we serve it it gets raved reviews the creamy orzo and spinach are great together..
Provided by Mamarita
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a bowl combine lamb,1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper,garlic,grated lemon peel and rosemary. Shape mixture into 1 inch balls saute until cooked browned all over. Remove from skillet set a side pour off excess fat.
- Add orzo, chicken broth and spinach cook over medium heat 3 minutes or until spinachis limp. Add half n half and salt and pepper to taste, return meatballs to pan and heat through.
LAMB MEATBALLS AND ORZO
A Mediterranean-inspired dish. I serve it with a Greek salad and crusty bread. Yummy!! 1 hour chill time.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h40m
Yield 4-5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the egg.
- Add in the ground lamb, garlic, onion, bread crumbs, milk, dill, salt and pepper; mix well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Shape lamb mixture into 1-inch balls; place balls on a large baking sheet with a rim.
- Bake in a 400° oven for about 10 minutes or until browned.
- Take out of oven and set aside.
- Bring to chicken stock, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.
- Add in the orzo; stir to combine.
- Boil for 1 minute.
- Transfer orzo mixture into a 2 1/2 quart baking dish that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray; spread mixture out evenly.
- Place meatballs on top.
- Decrease oven temp to 350° and bake, covered, for 40-50 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 603.4, Fat 31, SaturatedFat 12.9, Cholesterol 140.9, Sodium 634.3, Carbohydrate 47.8, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 4, Protein 31
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 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
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are prepped and measured, including herbs, spices, and sauces.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh herbs like parsley and mint for optimal flavor. Freshly grated spices, such as nutmeg and cumin, also enhance the dish.
- Seasoning: Don't be afraid to taste and adjust the seasoning throughout the cooking process. A harmonious balance of flavors is key.
- Meatballs: For tender and flavorful meatballs, handle the lamb gently and avoid overworking the mixture. Roll them into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- Spinach: Wilt the spinach just until wilted to preserve its vibrant color and nutrients. Overcooked spinach can become mushy and lose its nutritional value.
- Orzo: Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, ensuring it retains a slight bite. Al dente orzo provides a pleasant texture contrast to the tender meatballs and wilted spinach.
- Sauce: Simmer the sauce over low heat to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. A well-developed sauce elevates the entire dish.
Conclusion:
This flavorful and satisfying dish combines tender lamb meatballs, vibrant spinach, and al dente orzo in a rich and flavorful sauce. With careful attention to seasoning and technique, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own kitchen. Serve it as a main course or an impressive appetizer, and enjoy the symphony of flavors that delight the palate.
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