Lamb Kleftiko

Lamb kleftiko is a traditional Greek dish of marinated lamb baked slowly with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and herbs inside a sealed parcel of baking parchment or foil. The name comes from the Greek word for "stolen". It recalls the Klephts, mountain brigands who became Greek freedom fighters and who are said to have cooked stolen lamb in sealed pits, so that no smoke or smell gave them away. The sealed parcel used today works the same way and keeps the meat tender.

Ingredients for Lamb Kleftiko

The ingredients for lamb kleftiko are:

• 400 g boneless lamb, cut into portions
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 small potatoes, quartered
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2–3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 100 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2–3 bay leaves
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Lamb Kleftiko

1. Marinate the lamb. Mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the lamb and turn it until it is well coated. Cover the bowl and leave it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
2. Prepare the vegetables. Heat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Lay a large sheet of baking parchment or foil in a roasting tin, big enough to wrap the lamb and vegetables. Arrange the potato quarters, chopped onions and sliced tomatoes on it and season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the parcel. Put the lamb on top of the vegetables and pour over any remaining marinade. Scatter the feta over the lamb and vegetables, and add the bay leaves.
4. Seal the parcel. Bring the edges of the parchment together and fold them tightly, or wrap the foil securely, so no steam can escape. The lamb then cooks in its own juices.
5. Bake. Stand the parcel in a baking dish to catch any drips. Bake for about 3 hours, until the lamb is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
6. Serve. Open the parcel carefully, as the steam is very hot. Remove the bay leaves and transfer the lamb and vegetables to plates. Garnish with fresh oregano or parsley if you like, and serve hot.

Lamb kleftiko needs only crusty bread and a salad on the side. Our Greek salad recipe goes well with it.

Tips for Lamb Kleftiko

These 3 tips change the flavour of the dish:

• Brown the lamb first. Browning the lamb in a hot frying pan before marinating it gives a deeper flavour.
• Add more vegetables. Peppers or carrots both work well inside the parcel.
• Try other cheeses. Feta is the usual choice, but kefalotyri or graviera give a different taste.

Lamb kleftiko is a favourite for special occasions and family gatherings in Greece. More slow-cooked dishes are in our collection of authentic Cretan diet recipes.