Mediterranean Lamb and Rice Casserole with Creamy Philly Dilly Sauce Share Tags: entree I love to travel! Whether it's a US road trip or a jet trip abroad I am packed and ready to go. Food is also a huge reason I enjoy traveling. Gumbo and crawfish in Louisiana, fabulous cheeses and salmon in Ireland, pokie and mangoes in Hawaii... the list goes on and on. Food allows me to experience a culture in ways my other senses don't. I love the USA and the huge melting pot of cultures this nation has drawn to itself. This dish is a tribute all the wonderful cooks who have opened new and exotic culinary doors for me. Big Hugs to you all!! Prep time: 35 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 55 minutes | Servings: 6 1 cup(s) of tomato puree
1 Creamy Philly Dilly Sauce
1 pound(s) of ground lamb
1 med. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 large lemon, juiced
4 ounce(s) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese - regular or reduced fat
1/2 cup(s) of Greek yogurt (may substitute regular yogurt)
1/2 cup(s) of pine nuts, toasted and chopped
1 cup(s) of tomato puree
1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
1/2 tsp. of nutmeg
2 cup(s) of cooked long grain rice
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
1 cup(s) of Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup(s) of grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. of lemon zest
2 tbsp. of Italian flat leaf parsley
1 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
Creamy Philly Dilly Sauce
1 cup(s) of Greek yogurt
3 ounce(s) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 tsp. of dill weed
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
1 clove garlic, pressed
sea salt, to taste
Steps
Preheat the oven to 350.
Sauté lamb meat, onions and garlic over medium heat until lamb is cooked through and onions are softened - approximately 10 minutes. Drain meat and onion mixture using a fine mesh sieve.
Return meat to skillet on low heat and add pine nuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in lemon juice, tomato puree, Philadelphia Cream Cheese and yogurt.
Add cooked rice and combine thoroughly.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Place filling in a casserole dish. Work together breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread over the top of the lamb and rice filling.
Bake for 20 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
While the casserole is cooking blend together the ingredients for the Creamy Philly Dilly Sauce until smooth and creamy.
Place a dollop of sauce on each serving of casserole and enjoy.