Lamb pasta bake (youvetsi)
Ingredients
1 kg lamb shoulder (boned)
1 onion, diced
1 can tomatoes, chopped
1 cinnamon stick
½ tsp ground allspice
1 pkt risoni pasta (kritharaki)
Extra virgin olive oil
Grated cheese (mitzithra, pecorino or parmesan)
Method
Cut the lamb into large chunks.
In a heavy based saucepan, add 2 tbs olive oil and fry the lamb until it begins to brown. Add the onion and stir until it softens.
Add the tomatoes, cinnamon and allspice and season with salt & pepper. Add about 4 cups of hot water and simmer until the lamb is cooked - about 30 to 45 minutes.
Heat oven to 180C.
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. When it is boiling add the pasta and stir. Cook until half cooked tender. Strain and drizzle with a little olive oil so it does not stick.
Pour the lamb and sauce into a large baking dish and add the pasta. Mix well so all the pasta is covered with sauce.
Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with grated cheese.
