**Lamb Kleftiko** is a traditional Greek dish where lamb is slow-cooked with garlic, herbs, and vegetables until incredibly tender. The name comes from the Greek "kleftis" (thief), as legend says bandits would steal lambs and cook them in sealed pits to avoid detection. Here’s an authentic recipe:
### **Ingredients** (Serves 4-6):
- **2.2 lbs (1 kg) bone-in lamb shoulder or leg**, cut into large chunks
- **4 large potatoes**, peeled and quartered
- **2 red onions**, thickly sliced
- **4 garlic cloves**, minced + 4 whole cloves
- **1 lemon**, juiced
- **2 tbsp olive oil**
- **1 tbsp dried oregano**
- **1 tsp dried thyme**
- **1 bay leaf**
- **1 cinnamon stick** (optional but traditional)
- **1 cup (240ml) white wine or water**
- **200g feta cheese**, crumbled (for serving)
- **Salt & black pepper** to taste
- **Parchment paper & aluminum foil** (for sealing)
### **Instructions**:
1. **Marinate the Lamb**:
- In a large bowl, mix lamb with **lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper**.
- Cover and refrigerate for **at least 2 hours** (or overnight for best flavor).
2. **Layer the Ingredients**:
- Preheat oven to **320°F (160°C)**.
- In a deep baking dish or Dutch oven, layer **potatoes and onions**.
- Add marinated lamb on top, tucking in **whole garlic cloves, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick**.
- Pour **wine (or water)** around the edges.
3. **Seal & Slow Cook**:
- Cover tightly with **parchment paper**, then **aluminum foil** (or use a lid if using a Dutch oven).
- Bake for **3–3.5 hours** until lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender.
4. **Crisp Up (Optional)**:
- Uncover, increase heat to **390°F (200°C)**, and bake for **15–20 mins** to brown slightly.
5. **Serve**:
- Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
- Sprinkle with **crumbled feta** and fresh **oregano**.
- Serve with **crusty bread** to soak up the juices.
### **Tips**:
- **For extra flavor**, add **cherry tomatoes or bell peppers** before baking.
- **No wine?** Use chicken/beef broth instead.
- **Traditionally cooked in parchment**: This keeps the steam in, making the lamb ultra-tender.
Enjoy this **aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth** Greek classic! 🇬🇷😋