Greek lamb with orzo

Greek lamb with orzo
  • High protein
  • Low phosphate
  • Low potassium
  • Main meal
  • European
  • 3 hours or less
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Prepare this one-pot meal in advance for a tasty post-dialysis meal that’s high in protein and low in potassium and phosphate.

Chef

Chef Paul Ripley
Paul Ripley

Kidney Kitchen Chef

A hearty traditional Greek lamb stew recipe with orzo pasta. This juicy, melt-in-the-mouth lamb is delicious with lots of lovely fresh herbs and ingredients.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

800g diced lamb shoulder

2 onions

1 teaspoon oregano, dried

1 teaspoon thyme, dried

1 teaspoon mint, dried

3 bay leaves

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

600ml low salt chicken stock

300g orzo pasta

400g tinned tomatoes

1 red pepper (approx. 75g)

75g pitted black olives

50g sun dried tomatoes

100g feta cheese

1 lemon

Fresh oregano, mint and thyme (optional)

Method

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 180°C / gas mark 4. Season the lamb well with pepper and the dried thyme, oregano and mint. Heat the oil in a large casserole dish over a high heat. Fry for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.

  2. Step 2

    Finely chop and stir in the onions, bay leaves, cumin and paprika. Add the tinned tomatoes and 350ml of the hot chicken stock. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Cover the casserole dish and transfer to the oven to cook for 1 ½ hours – until the lamb is tender.

  3. Step 3

    Deseed and chop the pepper and dice the sun dried tomatoes, stirring them in with the olives, orzo and remaining stock. Stir well and recover with the lid. Return to the oven for a further 30 minutes until the orzo is tender.

  4. Step 4

    Remove from the oven, stir well and crumble over the feta cheese and sprinkle over some freshly cut herbs if desired. Add the zest of one lemon and drizzle over the juice to serve.

Food facts

The main source of carbohydrate in this dish comes from the orzo. The carbohydrate value of this dish has been provided for those who have been trained in insulin adjustment.

This dish does contain ingredients that are high in potassium and phosphate, such as tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes and cheese. However, the quantities have been kept to a minimum and by using the quantities listed and following the the recommended serving size, the overall phosphate and potassium content of the dish remains low.

If you have been prescribed a phosphate binder ensure you take them with this dish.

This is a great high protein dish, ideal for those on dialysis. If you have been advised to reduce your protein intake, enjoy a smaller portion or consider substituting the lamb for a vegetarian alternative such as tofu, chickpeas or butter beans.

Use a gluten free stock and switch to a gluten free pasta. Macaroni would work well if you can’t find gluten free orzo.

Use tofu, chickpeas or butter beans and reduce cooking time to 30 minutes.

Use a vegan Greek-style cheese.

The flavour of this dish comes from all the herbs and spices and therefore additional salt is not required. The stock will contain some salt but low salt or very low salt stock cubes or stockpots are readily available in supermarkets.

Lamb can be quite an expensive meat. Chicken or pork could be used or try the vegetarian option for a cheaper alternative. If fresh herbs are not available you can used dried herbs.

Allow any leftovers to cool, then refrigerate and consume within two days. If freezing, place in a sealed container in portions. Defrost and reheat thoroughly before serving.