Aliathon Holiday Village Official Blog

Kleftiko means stolen

The name kleftiko was given to this food because during the occupancy of Turks in Greece.Thieves and armatoloi as they were called ( they were the descendants of  Greeks who retreated into the mountains during the fifteenth century in order to avoid Ottoman oppression) were seeking food, stealing meat, which they baked in lighting fire and hiding  it under  the soil. 












 To avoid betrayed, they were saying that they light the fire to keep them warm. From the way that thieves and armatoloi were preparing the meat the food took the name of stolen.

Ingredients

2 kilograms of lamb chopped in big pieces (bon in)

150 gr of olive oil
 
oregano

2 bay leave

2 onions sliced in 4 pieces

100 g white whine

salt and pepper

Method

1.In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together and toss well until everything is well-coated.
Season generously with pepper and salt
 
2.Then put everything in a baking dish and wrapped them  up  in a baked paper

3.Wrapped  up twice the meat  this time with a tinfoil because you don't want any of the lovely juices this recipe emits to get lost in drainage while braising.

4.Braise, in the oven for approximately 4 hours  in 170 Celsius.

Chef Tips 

1.You can use a lot of different herbs if you like such as rosemary.  etc

2.You should put peeled potatoes in large pieces and put them in the oven with the lamb.
They will be more delicious than the meet!!!

 Try our recipe and tell us the results!!!!!
Our executive chef Nikos Striligas will appreciate the feedback!!!

Good Luck!!!!!