Greek lamb with Orzo

Ingredients

• 1kg shoulder of lamb
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp chopped oregano, or 1 tsp dried
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 1.2l hot chicken or vegetable stock
• 400g orzo (see know-how below)
• freshly grated parmesan, to serve

Method

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.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2008