Kritharaki: Greek Pork and Orzo Stew

Kritharaki with meat, in some regions called manestra, is a one-pan dish of stewed pork with orzo in tomato sauce. The orzo cooks in the sauce and makes the dish creamy.

Serves: 4 | Prep: 15 min | Cook: 60 min

Ingredients

• 500 g pork neck or shoulder, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 400 g peeled tomatoes
• 750 ml chicken stock
• 250 g orzo (kritharaki)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 100 g feta, crumbled (optional)

Method

1. Brown the pork all over in the olive oil and remove it from the pan.
2. Soften the onion and garlic, add the tomatoes and 250 ml stock and return the pork. Simmer, covered, for 35 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the stock, bring to the boil and stir in the orzo.
4. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until the orzo is cooked and the sauce is creamy.
5. Season with oregano, salt and pepper and serve with feta.

Tips

• Stir regularly once the orzo is in; it sinks to the bottom and catches easily.
• If it gets too thick, add a splash of hot stock.

Products from Bakaliko

• Melissa - Whole Wheat Orzo (Kritharaki) 500 g
• Zanae - Crushed Peeled Tomatoes (Concasse) 400 g

More Greek recipes

• Giouvetsi: Greek baked lamb or beef with orzo
• Soutzoukakia: Greek meatballs in tomato sauce