Arnaki me Araka (Greek Lamb and Peas)
Bone-in lamb shoulder slow-braised in olive oil with spring peas, fresh dill, and lemon — a classic Greek ladera dish.
Ingredients
For the Lamb Base
- 1.5 kg bone-in lamb shoulder or leg cut into large pieces
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus a drizzle to finish
- 2 medium yellow onions finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 120 ml dry white wine optional but recommended
- 240 ml warm water or light chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Peas and Finish
- 500 g fresh or frozen peas do not use canned
- 30 g fresh dill roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring lamb to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Pat very dry with paper towels.
- Season lamb on all sides with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Brown lamb in batches, 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onions, scraping up browned bits. Cook 6-8 minutes until soft and golden.
- Add garlic. Cook 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
- Add white wine; stir and reduce by half, about 2 minutes. (Or add a splash of warm water if skipping wine.)
- Return lamb to the pot. Add water or stock - liquid should come one-third up the lamb.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and braise over low heat for 60-75 minutes until lamb is very tender.
- Add peas, cover, and cook a further 12-15 minutes until tender. (Frozen peas: 8-10 minutes.)
- Remove from heat. Add fresh dill and lemon juice. Stir gently. Adjust seasoning.
- Rest 5 minutes covered. Serve with crusty bread and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
Arnaki me araka improves overnight. Make the lamb base a day ahead, refrigerate, skim fat, then add fresh peas and finish with dill and lemon when reheating. Frozen peas work well; add from frozen and reduce cooking time to 8-10 minutes. Do not use canned peas.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 435kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 420mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g