if you don’t have fresh herbs dried will work but you wont need as much, 4 large cloves of garlic ( or 6 small ones), Cut the lamb into large pieces and place in a bowl, Cut the potatoes in half and place in another bowl, Grate rind from the other lemon and add to juice, Add the leaves from the rosemary and oregano, Add a generous amount of salt and pepper to taste, Mix 1/3 of the mixture through the potatoes and the other 2/3rds to the meat, Line a Dutch Oven or Casserole Dish with baking paper, Cover with more baking paper and tuck it in firmly. 6 garlic cloves. Transfer the lamb to a large food bag, pour in the lemon juice and marinate overnight. It differs from other slow-cooked lamb dishes by cooking it in baking paper. So don't wait. Add the lamb and brown on all sides. As long as you follow the few steps in the Lamb Kleftiko Recipe you are guaranteed to have a tender, delicious crowd pleaser for your family too. Set the lamb on top of the potatoes and scrunch the foil together tightly to completely enclose the lamb. Lamb Kleftiko is usually made with potatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic, dried Greek oregano, and feta cheese. Interestingly, kleftiko shares the same source with more familiar terms such as kleptomania or kleptocracy.. Kleftiko Origin Cut the … And prepare your slow cooker. They would steal a goat from an unsuspecting Shephard and cook the meat slowly in the ground so no-one could see or smell it. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, then coat the entire lamb with it. 2 carrots. How to make Greek lamb kleftiko. Transfer to a large food bag, add the lemon juice, toss, seal and marinate in the fridge for up to 2 hours, or overnight if time allows. Kleftiko is a traditional Greek recipe for unbelievably tender and succulent lamb. When ready to make the kleftiko, take the lamb stew and place a good amount of it into a baking dish. While this recipe calls for chopped lamb pieces some people leave the meat whole or perhaps only cut it in half. Crush together the garlic cloves and 1 tsp salt using a pestle and mortar. Kleftiko means ‘hidden meat’ in Greece and this dish is said to have been invented by the Klephts or Kleftes, a group of bandits and rebels who fought the Ottomans in the mountains in the 14th to 19th centuries. It takes a little time, but it’s hands off cooking and is easy to make. INGREDIENTS : 1-1.2 kg/ 35 oz. Toss together the remaining salad ingredients, adding the dressing when you’re ready to eat. Try it and I'm sure you'll like it! Remove tin from the oven and increase the temperature to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Lamb kleftiko is a classic Greek dish for good reason. Ingredients for Greek Lamb Kleftiko recipe (Serves 4-6) 1-1.2 kg/ 35 oz. Kleftiko comes from the word kleftis (κλέφτης) which means a thief. Like many things in Greece, the meal is steeped in history. Cook potatoes underneath the lamb and you’ll get the best roast potatoes ever. leg of lamb. Yassas! They had to prepare the meat that they had stolen in a way that it would not be seen or smelled and they achieved this by baking it in earthenware pottery vessels that were then buried underground. 2 medium tomatoes. Combine the red wine vinegar, oil and some seasoning to make a dressing for the salad. Exclusive offer from Good Food Deals: On a chopping board make several slashes all over the lamb with a sharp knife. Kleftiko is a traditional and delicious Greek lamb dish. Today most Greeks would use lamb as well as goat, although often only for special occasions as both are quite expensive and are prized for their milk as well. Put together this traditional Greek lamb kleftiko recipe and impress everyone! The next day, take the lamb out of the fridge 1 hr before you want to cook it. The thieves were Greek … If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Heat 50ml of the oil in a large, heavy frying pan over a medium heat. ; Cut the lamb into pieces and add them in a bowl. 100 ml olive oil. bone in) 1 small red onions; 2-3 bell peppers (green, red, orange) 4 cloves of garlic (2 sliced and 2 whole) 2 tbsps mustard; juice of half a lemon; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1/2 a cup olive oil; 5-6 baby potatoes, sliced in two Cut the onions in half and then in four wedges. Remove from the pan and drain on several layers of kitchen paper. This is also where the word Kleptomaniac (compulsive thief) comes from. Remove the lamb from the tin, wrap in foil and rest. The lamb juices and marinade make the potatoes extra delicious, sticky and golden. Lastly do not forget the Greek salad! Cut the potatoes in half and add them in another bowl. This is the classic Greek version of making it. Serve the lamb with the potatoes and meaty juices, with the salad and yogurt on the side. 2kg/ 70 oz. Drizzle with olive … 4 medium potatoes. Seal a leg of lamb in a parcel then roast it long and slow with garlic, lemon, herbs and potatoes to soak up the delicious juices. Place the lamb in a lidded container and the fridge overnight. We love Kleftiko, its a Greek Cypriot traditional lamb recipe, slow cooked for 12 hours in a sealed clay oven located outside a Cypriot home or in local tavernas. AUTHENTIC PASTITSIO – OUR BEST GREEK LASAGNA RECIPE, THE BEST SOUZOUKAKIA RECIPE: HOW TO MAKE GREEK MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE, OUR FAVOURITE GREEK BOUGATSA RECIPE – DELICIOUS CUSTARD PASTRIES, SPANAKOPITA – GREEK SPINACH AND FETA CHEESE PIE RECIPE, VIRTUAL GREECE: HOW TO VISIT GREECE FROM HOME, Some people cook the lamb whole or perhaps only in 2 pieces although you may need to cook it longer this way. 1 kg leg of lamb in 6 portions. Easy slow cooked Greek lamb with lemon garlic potatoes (lamb kleftiko) A super flavourful not to mention really easy to make impressive and authentic Greek lamb roast. Lift into a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 4½ hrs until very tender. Lamb Kleftiko is the original Greek slow cooked lamb recipe. I know, I sound like mister Portokalos from My big fat Greek wedding movie. Yield: 6. ; In a blender add the rosemary, the garlic, the olive oil, salt, pepper, the chili flakes, the cinnamon, the lemon juice and zest, the … Cut 3 pieces of baking parchment, each about 1 metre long. It differs from other slow-cooked lamb dishes by cooking it in baking paper. Lamb Kleftiko is a classic dish that is easy to make. https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/lamb-kleftiko-recipe Preheat the oven to 170 ο C (340 ο F) set to fan. While the potatoes are cooking, stir together all the ingredients for the yogurt. Choose the type of message you'd like to post, Magazine subscription – save 44% and get a cookbook of your choice. Rick Stein's Lamb Kleftiko Recipe | Slow-Cooked Sunday Roast The dish is said to be named after the Klephts, who were a group of bandits who fought Ottoman rule in Greece. Preheat the oven to its highest setting. Nothing will send your tastebuds to a Greek Cypriot taverna quicker than lamb kleftiko. In years gone by goat would have been used more widely and you can use that too if available. Print Ingredients. Simply marinate then sit back and let your slow cooker, Instant Pot or your oven do all the hard work! It’s very easy to make and hard to stuff up. THE ORIGINS OF KLEFTIKO This delicious meal is perfect combined with a refreshing Greek salad which cuts in to the lamb flavour with all the aromas of oregano and feta! It's a dish you can pop in the oven after lunch and forget about until dinner. 4. Rub the paste all over the lamb, pushing deep into the holes. Using a sharp knife, create lots of holes all over the lamb, and rub in the paste, pushing it deep into the holes. Prepare the vegetables for the lamb kleftiko. Kleftiko means “stolen” and the origins of this dish go back to the early days of the Greek freedom fighters who lived in the mountains. Turn the potatoes over and return to the oven for 30 mins, then season with salt. Pop the potatoes in the centre of the parchment and toss with the remaining oil and some seasoning. Lamb Kleftiko is a Greek household favourite. Ingredients. Bring up the sides of the foil, then pour the marinade from the lamb over the potatoes and throw in the bay leaves. Here's an absolutely superb way to make Greek kleftiko leg of lamb from the island of Crete. Kleftiko is a traditional Greek slow-cooked stew, usually made from lamb, potatoes, hard cheese and Mediterranean herbs. Lamb Kleftiko is a classic dish that is easy to make. The lamb stew will keep for two days in the cocotte in the fridge. Lay 2 long pieces of baking parchment on top of 2 long pieces of foil – one widthways, the other lengthways to form a cross. Add the herbs, lemon zest, cinnamon, some black pepper, crush a little more, then stir through 2 tbsp of the olive oil. ½ teaspoon oregano. Get three Forsythia ‘Mini Gold’ for half price! Vegan Greek-Style Roast “Lamb” (Kleftiko) Written by Miriam Published on September 2, 2016 in Festive , Greek & Middle Eastern , Mediterranean , Roasts Kleftiko literally means “in the style of the klephts”, and traditionally this is lamb slow-baked on the bone, first marinated in garlic and lemon juice, originally cooked in a pit oven. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When we would come to Cyprus on holiday, Kleftiko was always the first Cyprus lamb dish we would order at one of the local tavernas. Remove tin from the oven and increase the temperature to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. leg of lamb, boneless (approx. Greek Lamb Kleftiko This delicious roast lamb dish was requested by Mandi, so here it is! It's a dish you can pop in the oven after lunch and forget about until dinner. Lamb Kleftiko is slow cooked Greek lamb that remains totally succulent and literally falls off … https://greekcitytimes.com/2019/05/25/greek-lamb-kleftiko-recipe Unwrap the parcel and scrunch the foil and parchment under the rim of the tin, baste the lamb with the juices and return to the oven for a further 20 mins until browned. https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/lamb-kleftiko The lamb juices and marinade make the potatoes extra delicious, sticky and golden. Lamb or goat ofton kleftiko is an easy, rustic, traditional Greek dish made with lamb, cooked in the oven wrapped in parchment paper. Keep an eye on your inbox for tales, tips and travel inspiration. Recipe from Good Food magazine, September 2013. Cover the casserole with foil and a close-fitting lid and bake for 3 hours until the meat is falling off … We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The meaning of word Kleftiko. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5. LAMB KLEFTIKO: GREEK LAMB COOKED IN PARCHMENT PAPER. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. THE BEST ACROPOLIS VIEW HOTELS (UPDATED FOR 2021). The slow roasted meat with garlic, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes just falls from the bone and is enjoyed by many. There are a few variations to the recipe: Best served with a fresh Horiataki (Greek Salad) of course and a crisp light red-wine. “Ofton” comes from an ancient Greek word, which means baked and “Kleftiko” means stolen. Take a look at my other popular Greek … Sprinkle the lamb generously all over with salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Throw a few ingredients in a pot, sit a lamb leg on top, rub in herbs and spices, and slow roast to entertaining perfection. Unwrap the parcel and scrunch the foil and parchment under the rim of the tin, baste the Step 2: Generously season the lamb with salt and pepper. sometimes vegetables like peppers and gorgettes are added and even cheese! Step 3: Thirty minutes before cooking, remove the lamb out of the fridge. Marinated overnight then slow-cooked, the lamb is fabulously moist and tender. And the great news is, kleftiko is dead easy to make as time does most of the work. Either way, lay down the lamb … Toss to combine, then arrange the lamb … This dish is a another family favourite in our house and is often served for Sunday Roast. Tip the potatoes and peppers into a large roasting tin, then pour over the wine.Remove the lamb from the marinade and set aside, then pour the leftover marinade over the veg. You can go big for a large sharing portion, or small for individual. 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