I am a sucker for food with a story. If I have a choice of fixing two delicious dishes using the same main ingredient, and one has a great story, I go for the story every time. And this dish, Arnaki Kleftiko (Bandit's Lamb), is a favorite "story dish."
This is the story as I heard it (if you know a different version, leave a comment and tell us): Guerillas (or bandits) couldn't cook out in the open for fear of being caught. They would dig a hole, bury a whole (stolen?) lamb or goat in its skin in the coals of a fire, and cover the whole thing up with dirt. The meat would cook slowly, and there would be no animal in sight... and no smell of anything cooking to give them away. When they could get back undetected, many hours or a day later, a delicious meal awaited.
Who can resist such a story?
This modern adaptation is one of my favorites and calls for a lot of garlic. In this version of kleftiko, the meat is, indeed, covered, but with cooking parchment. Leg of lamb, garlic, cheese, potatoes, and carrots are wrapped and cooked until the meat is falling off the bone.
A fabulous dish that should always be accompanied by a great story.
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Comments
Our favorite Greek restaurant does these once in a while. They make foil packets instead of parchment (double the foil) and add a splash of Mextaxa brandy. They are wonderful!