World Flavors Cookbook

Youvetsi (Lamb with Orzo)

A comforting one-pot meal of lamb baked in a clay pot with kritharaki (orzo pasta) and a cinnamon-spiced tomato sauce.

Cuisine: Greece

Ingredients

• 1kg lamb or beef, cubed
• 500g orzo (kritharaki)
• 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
• 400g crushed tomatoes
• Cinnamon, allspice
• Grated kefalotyri or myzithra cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the meat and onions. Add tomatoes, spices, and water. Simmer until tender.
2. Add the raw orzo to the pot (or transfer all to a clay baking dish).
3. Add enough boiling water to cover the orzo by 2cm.
4. Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes until orzo has absorbed the liquid.
5. Serve with a mountain of grated cheese.