Kotopoulo Youvetsi Food

YOUVETSI (TRADITIONAL GREEK ORZO BAKE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook meat until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the orzo. Saute until slightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer orzo to a baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Remove meat from the saucepan and place on top of the orzo. Pour tomato sauce evenly over meat. Add hot water. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until all water is absorbed and orzo is soft, about 1 hour. If the dish becomes too dry, add more water during baking.

KOTOPOULO GIOUVETSI (CHICKEN AND PASTA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Wash chicken and rub outside and inside with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Season skin with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken in a medium-to-large baking pan, preferably glass or clay, and spread orzo evenly around chicken.
• Add remaining oil and other ingredients except cheese and toss in pan to combine.
• Place pan, uncovered, in hot oven and reduce heat to 350°F
• Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, basting chicken every 10 to 15 minutes with pan juices, until chicken is tender and orzo cooked, adding more water, if necessary, during baking if orzo seems too dry.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese before serving.

KOTOPOULO GIOUVETSI ( CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH ORZO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450øF.
• Wash chicken and rub outside and inside with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Season skin with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken in a medium-to-large baking pan, preferably glass or clay, and spread orzo evenly around chicken.
• Add remaining oil and other ingredients except cheese and toss in pan to combine.
• Place pan, uncovered, in hot oven and reduce heat to 350øF.
• Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, basting chicken every 10 to 15 minutes with pan juices, until chicken is tender and orzo cooked, adding more water, if necessary, during baking if orzo seems too dry.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese before serving.

KOTOPOULO YOUVETSI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a baking dish, heat the oil over medium-high heat and saute the chicken in batches until golden brown on all sides. Set aside. Add the onion to the dish and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, cinnamon, oregano, pepper or pepper flakes and tomatoes. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and return to the dish. Add about 1/2 cup stock, or enough to come about two-thirds of the way up the chicken or turkey. Bring to a boil, cover and transfer to the oven. Bake for about 1-1/2 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Transfer the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Bring the remaining 1-1/2 cups stock to a simmer. Add the broth to the cooking liquid, stir in the rice and bake, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed, adding more broth if the rice begins to dry out. Place the chicken on top of the rice and bake for another 10 minutes, until the rice is tender. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the parsley and cheese.