Orzo with Lamb, Olives & Feta for Two

From EatingWell: November/December 1998, EatingWell Serves Two — Subscribe Now!

Sure, orzo is good in soup, but there's no need to stop there. Here it's a base for a bold blend of spices, tomato sauce and flavorful ground lamb. The optional pinch of crushed red pepper will add the heat that many crave.

Orzo with Lamb, Olives & Feta for Two Recipe

2 servings, 1 cup each

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Low cholesterol | Low sodium | High potassium | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Ingredients

1/2 cup orzo
4 ounces lean ground lamb, or ground beef or ground turkey
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary, or oregano
Pinch of crushed red pepper, (optional)
1 8-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 tablespoon pitted, chopped black olives
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo until just tender, about 8 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
Meanwhile, cook lamb (or beef or turkey) in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in a sieve set over a bowl. Clean and dry the pan.
Add oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, cinnamon, rosemary (or oregano) and crushed red pepper (if using); cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the lamb (or beef or turkey) and tomato sauce; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in olives, salt and pepper. Toss the orzo with the sauce. Serve garnished with feta.

Nutrition

Per serving: 452 calories; 17 g fat (6 g sat, 7 g mono); 46 mg cholesterol; 56 g carbohydrates; 21 g protein; 4 g fiber; 403 mg sodium; 699 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value), Vitamin A (25% dv), Potassium & Zinc (20% dv).

4 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 high fat meat, 1 1/2 fat