Hey foodies!
I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorites with you today—a Greek-Style Lamb Stew with Tomatoes and Feta. This dish is not just bursting with flavors, it’s also super nutritious and perfect for those cozy meal vibes. Plus, it’s one of those **Healthy Food Recipes** that’s going to make you feel oh-so-good about what you’re eating!
Let’s get cooking, shall we?
### Ingredients:
#### For the Stew:
– 1.5 lbs of lamb shoulder, cut into chunks
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 large tomatoes, diced (or 1 can of diced tomatoes)
– 1 cup beef or lamb broth
– 1/2 cup red wine (optional, but so worth it)
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground cumin
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– Salt to taste
#### For Garnish and Serving:
– 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
– Fresh parsley, chopped
– Lemon wedges
– Steamed rice, pasta, or crusty bread
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### 1. **Searing the Lamb:**
Heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the lamb pieces. You want to sear them until they’re browned on all sides. This is where the magic begins! Browning the meat really builds that deep, rich flavor. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you later.
#### 2. **Sautéing the Veggies:**
Remove the lamb from the pot and set aside. In the same pot (you want all those tasty bits left in there), add your chopped onions. Sauté until they become translucent. Then add your garlic and cook for another minute. Nothing smells more inviting than onions and garlic sizzling away!
#### 3. **Building the Flavor:**
Now, add the diced tomatoes (or canned diced tomatoes if you’re like me and appreciate a shortcut). Cook until the tomatoes start to break down into a sauce. This part is incredibly relaxing—let the smells and steamy pot sort of lull you into that cozy, cooking zone.
#### 4. **Combining Ingredients:**
Pour in the broth and red wine (if using). Pop the lamb back into the pot. Add the oregano, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Give everything a good mix to make sure those spices are well distributed. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer. Patience, my friends, patience. This stew needs about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach full perfection. Check occasionally and give it a stir, just whispering sweet nothings to your delicious creation.
#### 5. **Final Touches:**
Once the lamb is tender and the stew has thickened, it’s time for the fun part—serving! Ladle the stew into bowls, sprinkle that crumbled feta on top, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges for that explosive zesty finish.
### Helpful Tips:
1. **Choosing the Lamb:** Lamb shoulder is perfect for this stew because it’s tender and flavorful. If you can’t find it, lamb leg or even beef stew meat are good alternatives.
2. **Using Fresh Herbs:** If you have fresh oregano, use it! It adds a wonderful brightness to the dish. One tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano equals one teaspoon of dried.
3. **Being a Wine Enthusiast:** If you’ve got some red wine you love to drink, pour a little into the stew. Don’t waste a bad bottle on cooking; the flavor really comes through.
4. **Time Savers:** If you’re short on time, you can use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to develop those deep flavors faster.
### Personal Touch:
I remember the first time I made this stew; I was inspired by a trip to Greece where I had the most mesmerizing lamb dish in a tiny village tavern. There’s something about re-creating those flavors at home that just warms your soul. My kids love this stew too—probably because they get to crumble feta on it themselves. It’s these little moments around the table that make food blogging worth every second.
And there you have it, folks! A hearty, healthy, and flavorful Greek-Style Lamb Stew with Tomatoes and Feta. It’s one of my go-to **Healthy Food Recipes** that brings a slice of Mediterranean heaven to my suburban kitchen.
I’d love to hear how your stews turn out. Feel free to drop a comment or share your pics on Instagram with the hashtag #HealthyFoodRecipesWithLove. Until next time—happy cooking!
Cheers,
[Your Name]