{"id":"recipe_e519332082","slug":"lamb-kleftiko","title":"Lamb Kleftiko","description":"A traditional Greek masterpiece of succulent, melt-in-your-mouth lamb slow-roasted with potatoes, garlic, and herbs inside parchment paper.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":190,"totalMinutes":210,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1.5 kg lamb leg, cut into large chunks","name":"Lamb Leg","quantity":1.5,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":3.3,"usUnit":"lb","form":"chunks","notes":"leg or shoulder","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 kg potatoes, peeled and quartered","name":"Potatoes","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"quartered","notes":"peeled","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 garlic cloves, sliced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"sliced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"120 ml extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"extra virgin","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 lemons, juiced","name":"Lemon","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tbsp dried oregano","name":"Oregano","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"200 g feta cheese, crumbled","name":"Feta cheese","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crumbled","notes":"optional topping","group":"Topping","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the lamb chunks, quartered potatoes, sliced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the lamb chunks, quartered potatoes, sliced garlic, olive oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Lay out two large sheets of parchment paper in a cross shape inside a roasting tin. Place the lamb and potato mixture in the center. If using feta, sprinkle it over the top now. Fold the parchment paper tightly to create a sealed parcel, ensuring no steam can escape. You can tie it with kitchen string or wrap a layer of foil over the parchment for extra security.","group":"Cooking","title":"Lay out two large sheets of parchment paper","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place the tin in the oven and roast for 3 hours. The slow cooking at 160°C (320°F) will make the lamb extremely tender.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the tin in the oven","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"After 3 hours, increase the oven temperature to 200°C (392°F). Carefully open the parchment parcel (be careful of the steam) and fold back the edges. Roast for another 20-30 minutes until the lamb and potatoes are golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges.","group":"Cooking","title":"After 3 hours, increase the oven temperature","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving directly from the parchment to capture all the delicious juices.","group":"Serving","title":"Remove from the oven and let it rest","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Traditionally, Kleftiko was cooked in an earth oven. Using parchment paper (en papillote) mimics this by trapping all the steam and juices. For the best flavor, use a leg of lamb or shoulder with some fat content.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["roast","bake"],"equipment":["roasting tin","parchment paper","large bowl","kitchen string"],"diet":["gluten_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Generous portions"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can marinate the lamb and potatoes a day in advance and keep them in the fridge until ready to wrap and roast."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container with the juices.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently in the oven at 150°C (300°F) covered with foil to keep the lamb moist."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e519332082%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4054aa49-967c-434b-8c03-62b0d380d144","imageAlt":"Lamb Kleftiko — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["greek","lamb","slow roast","kleftiko","traditional","one pan"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lamb Kleftiko","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:43:07.680Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:43:07.680Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_93cd8cc1d5","slug":"foul-mudammas-egyptian-b0a2d1a5","title":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans","description":"A traditional Egyptian and Mediterranean breakfast staple made from slow-cooked fava beans, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and high-quality olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean","high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_93cd8cc1d5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5f51ba9c-cd23-448e-9c6a-c10cf077e07d","imageAlt":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans — recipe cover","tags":["fava beans","egyptian breakfast","healthy","high protein","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_e90a4fd311","slug":"kagianas","title":"Kagianas","description":"A traditional Greek breakfast delight featuring vine-ripened tomatoes and creamy feta cheese scrambled with fresh eggs for a Mediterranean start to your day.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e90a4fd311%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b290bd3d-1e1d-42f8-8a20-bcfda19a5c6e","imageAlt":"Kagianas — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","tomato","feta","greek","mediterranean","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"menemen_a62c2fd7c2","slug":"menemen","title":"Menemen","description":"A classic Turkish breakfast dish consisting of eggs, tomatoes, and green peppers, traditionally served in a metal skillet with crusty bread.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmenemen_a62c2fd7c2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e9e71400-16af-40b7-bac9-bd5fd60261a7","imageAlt":"Menemen — recipe cover","tags":["turkish breakfast","eggs","tomatoes","vegetarian","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}