We present a recipe that originates from Greek cuisine and is a combination of ground meat and orzo pasta. Orzo pasta, also known as “kritharaki” in Greece, is a small pasta shaped like barley or rice grains, extremely popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. This pasta is used in various dishes, from soups and salads to main courses and side dishes. In just half an hour, you’ll prepare a dish that will delight both your guests and yourself.
Ingredients:
- 500g orzo pasta, cooked and drained
- 300g ground meat
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 chopped red onion
- 2 cloves of chopped garlic
- 2 fresh tomatoes
- 5 eggs
- 200g Mandrekas Greek yogurt
- 1 glass of milk (goat’s milk)
- 250g cottage cheese
- 200g Manouri cheese (made from goat and sheep milk)
- 250g feta cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
Prepare the ground meat as you would for Pasticio, a dish similar to Italian lasagna. First, sauté the red and white onions, then add the meat, tomatoes, and spices. Cook the orzo pasta in boiling salted water for about 10 minutes, then drain and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Grease a baking dish with oil and first put the orzo pasta in. Top it with the ground meat sauce and add finely chopped tomatoes. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, add the yogurt and milk. Then add the cheeses to this mixture, a pinch of salt, and a little pepper. Pour this over the orzo pasta and meat. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.
Enjoy 😊
