Lamb and Couscous in Phyllo Ramekins

Your family and guests will be delighted when you serve this lamb dish for your Easter dinner.

Prep: 50 min | Cook: 1 hr | Yield: 4 individual ramekins

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground lean lamb
• 1/2 cup red or green bell peppers, finely diced
• 1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup couscous
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 20 (9 x 14 inch) sheets Athens Fillo Dough, thawed
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add lamb, bell peppers and scallions to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes or until lamb is browned and bell peppers are tender.
2. Remove from heat. Place the mixture in a colander and drain well. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
3. In a small saucepan, add chicken broth, 1 tablespoon oil, red pepper flakes and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, and then add couscous.
4. Remove from heat, cover the pot and let couscous stand for 5 minutes.
5. Fluff couscous with fork and cool to room temperature.
6. In a large bowl, combine couscous with lamb mixture. Add parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
7. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Layer 5 fillo sheets, lightly brushing each sheet with the butter-oil mixture. Cut two 7 inch circles from the fillo. Place each circle into a 5 inch by 1 1/2 inch deep individual ramekins pressing fillo against bottom and sides. Repeat once to make 4 ramekins.
8. Divide lamb mixture into 4 equal parts and fill fillo. Slightly fold in fillo over the filing. Do not completely enclose filling.
9. Bake ramekins in preheated 350 degrees F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Serve warm on a serving plate and garnish with parsley.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Athens Foods, Inc.