Lamb Kleftiko with potatoes

Elenas is sharing another traditional Greek recipe with you this week!

"Kleftiko", refers to the rustic traditional Greek dish of slow cooked lamb (or other meat) in parchment paper. Juicy and tender lamb with delicious potatoes, this dish is ideal for Sunday family dinners!

"Kleftiko'' literally means lamb "stolen". This dish takes its name from "Klephts" (thieves), which can be translated "in the style of Klepht". The Klephts have lived in the mountains and fought against the Ottoman Empire. So the Klephts, who did not have their own flocks would steal lambs or goats and cook the meat in hidden underground ovens to seal in the taste and smell and avoid being caught!

This dish can be found with vegetables such as onions and red peppers, but the authentic recipe does not include them.

Preparation time: 10 min
Preparation time: 2 + ½ hour (approx.)
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1+ ½ kg lamp, bone (boned)
• 1 kg baby potatoes, cut in half*
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 50g olive oil
• 1+½ tsp salt
• a pinch of pepper
• lemon zest from one lemon and the lemon juice
• 300g Kefalotyri cheese , cut into small cubes*

*the authentic recipe does not include potatoes or cheese

Preparation:

This traditional Greek dish takes only 6 steps to make and these are:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C.
   
   
2. Prepare the marinade: add rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, zest and olive oil and mix well.
   
   
3. Prepare the lamb: start by washing the lamb thoroughly and cut into portions (approx. 5-6 cm). Put the meat in a bowl with half of the marinade.
   
   Tip: Marinate the lamb for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the meat to absorb all the wonderful Mediterranean flavors and aromas.
   
   
4. Prepare the potatoes by halving them and placing them in another bowl. Add the rest of the marinade.
   
   
5. Place a piece of aluminum foil in a roasting pan and a piece of baking paper on it. Spread the potatoes and place the lamb on top of them. Add the cheese and sprinkle with a little extra olive oil.
   
   
6. Wrap the kleftiko and bake for approx. 2 + ½ hour.
   
   Tip: The secret step to the perfect kleftiko is to unwrap the baking paper just before it's done, turn up the heat and bake for the last 20 minutes until golden and crispy.

Serve this rustic traditional dish with an authentic Greek salad and a cold glass of your favorite Greek beer !

Kali oreksi/ Welcome!