Kosovo Tavë Kosi (Baked Lamb and Rice with Yogurt)

Kosovo Tavë Kosi is a delicious baked lamb dish with rice and yogurt.  The lamb is first cooked with garlic and rice and then seasoned with oregano.  The dish is smothered in a yogurt egg mixture that turns golden brown and souffle like in the oven.  The result is almost like a shepherds pie.  It is light however and has a tartness from the yogurt.  A lovely main dish for any occasion. The dish originated in Albania.  Enjoy!

Print Pin

No ratings yet

Kosovo Tavë Kosi (Baked Lamb and Rice with Yogurt)

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Kosovo

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings 8

Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 lb. lamb shoulder trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 ⁄3 cup flour
• 3 tbsp. long grain white rice
• 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 3 tbsp. finely chopped oregano
• 4 cups plain yogurt
• 1 ⁄8 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 5 eggs

Instructions

• Heat oven to 375 degrees
• Heat 3 tbsp. butter and the oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Season lamb with salt and pepper and toss with 1⁄4 cup flour.
• Cook lamb, turning as needed, until browned, 10–12 minutes.
• Add rice, garlic, and 1⁄2 cup water; boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until rice is just tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• Stir in oregano, salt, and pepper and transfer to a 9" x 13" baking dish; set aside.
• Melt remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Whisk in remaining flour; cook until smooth, 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat; whisk in yogurt, nutmeg, eggs, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Pour yogurt sauce evenly over lamb mixture.
• Bake until golden and the lamb is tender, 45–60 minutes.