Lamb Baked in Greek-Yogurt Crust

Name: Lamb Baked in Greek-Yogurt Crust
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 130 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons/30 ml extra-virgin Greek olive oil; 1 tablespoon/14 g butter; 1 pound/450 g boneless lamb or goat (cut into serving sizes); 4 scallions (trimmed and finely chopped); 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped); 1/2 cup parboiled rice; 1/2 cup/120 ml white wine; 1 cup/240 ml water; Salt and pepper; 2 large eggs; 2 cups/480 ml Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint; 3 tablespoons grated kefalotyri cheese (optional)

In the northern parts of Greece, all sorts of meats, from chicken to savory meatballs to lamb and goat, are cooked in sauces based on the local, delicious, thick, strained sheep’s milk yogurt. This dish comes from the traditional cooking of the Vlachs, a once itinerant shepherd tribe, and is sometimes called vlachiko. I have modified this recipe by using boneless lamb instead of leg of lamb and replacing some of the butter with olive oil when browning the meat and vegetables. For a lovingly curated array of Greek ingredients to pair with this recipe, check out my online store here.

RATING

SERVES

PREP TIME

15 min

COOK TIME

2 h 10 min

RECIPES

Lamb & Goat

Main Courses

Yogurt

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons/30 ml extra-virgin Greek olive oil
1 tablespoon/14 g butter
1 pound/450 g boneless lamb or goat cut into serving sizes
4 scallions trimmed and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1/2 cup parboiled rice
1/2 cup/120 ml white wine
1 cup/240 ml water
Salt and pepper
2 large eggs
2 cups/480 ml Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons grated kefalotyri cheese optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, wide pan over medium-high heat and brown the lamb pieces, turning to color evenly. Add the scallions and stir until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for a few minutes to soften. Add the rice and pour in the wine and water. As soon as the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, season the contents of the pot with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
Whisk the eggs until creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt and flour. Whisk the yogurt mixture into the eggs and stir in the chopped mint. Season lightly with a little salt.
Place the lamb mixture in a clay or ovenproof glass or ceramic baking dish about 3 inches/87.5 cm deep. Spread the yogurt mixture evenly over the meat. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until the yogurt is set and lightly browned on top and then cover and cook for another 45 minutes until the lamb tender. Ten minutes before removing from oven, sprinkle, if desired, with grated kefalotyri cheese.