Name: Greek Lamb Kleftiko
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 240 min
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients: 2.5 kg bone-in lamb shoulder or leg, cut into large chunks; 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced; 3 large potatoes, cut into thick wedges; 2 large red onions, cut into quarters; 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), deseeded and chunked; 200g cherry tomatoes, halved; 100ml extra virgin olive oil; Juice of 2 lemons; 3 tablespoons dried oregano, preferably Greek; 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves; 2 bay leaves; 1 cinnamon stick; 200g feta cheese, crumbled (for serving); 100ml dry white wine; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the marinade

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, thyme leaves, and crushed garlic. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well to create a fragrant marinade.
Marinate the lamb

Add the lamb chunks to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Prepare for cooking

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Take a large piece of parchment paper and place it on top of a large piece of aluminum foil. This double layer will help trap all the juices and flavors during cooking.
Assemble the kleftiko

Place the marinated lamb in the center of the parchment paper. Arrange the potato wedges, onion quarters, bell pepper chunks, and cherry tomatoes around and on top of the lamb. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Pour over the remaining marinade and the white wine.
Seal the package

Carefully fold the parchment paper over the lamb and vegetables, then wrap the foil tightly around it to create a sealed package. Make sure there are no openings where steam could escape. Place the package in a deep roasting tray.
Slow cook to perfection

Place the roasting tray in the preheated oven and cook for 3 hours and 30 minutes. The long, slow cooking will ensure the lamb becomes meltingly tender and all the flavors meld together beautifully.
Final touches

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully open the package (beware of hot steam). Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (390°F) and return the opened package to the oven for about 15 minutes to allow the lamb and potatoes to brown slightly.
Serve the kleftiko

Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Transfer to a large serving platter, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot with Greek salad and crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices.

Greek Lamb Kleftiko

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information