Arnaki Kleftiko Bandits Lamb Recipes

ARNAKI KLEFTIKO (BANDIT'S LAMB)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 480°F
• Rub the lamb with a little olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• With a sharp knife, pierce the lamb and insert a clove of garlic and a piece of cheese into each opening. Do this until the cloves are all inserted into the lamb.
• Drizzle the potatoes and carrots with any remaining oil, season to taste with salt and pepper.
• On a clean work surface, spread out the parchment sheets and lay the lamb in the center, with the potatoes and carrots. If there is any remaining cheese, add as well.
• Close the parchment paper and secure well, tucking the sides underneath to make a packet.
• Fill a roasting pan 1/3 full of water, add the packet and cook for 2 hours 30 minutes, adding more water to the pan as needed to keep from getting dry.
• When done, lift the entire packet onto a serving platter, and cut open at the table to serve.
• Alternate preparation: Cut meat into serving size portions and wrap each portion, together with portion-size serving of potatoes and carrots, individually. Set side by side in roasting pan to cook, and serve one packet to each plate.

ARNI KLEFTIKO (REBEL LAMB)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together and toss well with scrupulously clean hands until everything is well-coated. Season generously with pepper, but go a little easier on the salt than you normally would cause the cheese will also lend its salt to the finished dish.
• If you have a large clay pot, like a bean pot, assemble the ingredients there, cover with lid, and proceed with recipe. If not, cut 6 large sheets of parchment, distribute the kleftiko mixture evenly amongst the 6 sheets, and wrap up envelope-style. You may need to double-wrap cause you don't want any of the lovely juices this recipe emits to get lost in drainage while braising. A large, covered casserole would work well, too. Basically what you want to do is have as little liquid escape during cooking as possible.
• Braise, in the oven, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. You want the meat to be falling off the bone. Yes, the potatoes and carrot will be very soft and tender, but will be permeated with a deep-rich flavour. Do not judge this dish by the cooking standards you are used to - remember its origins - the conditions these people lived under -- this is gourmet food created during a time of rebellion and should be enjoyed under its own standard.

ARNAKI ARAKA (LAMB WITH PEAS)

Steps:

• Pat the lamb dry with paper towels. Put it in a deep skillet over medium heat and cook 5 minutes to remove excess moisture. Add the butter and the scallions and stir. Cook until scallions start to become translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, the tomato juice and enough water to bring the liquid 2/3 of the way up the meat. Add 1 teaspoon salt, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn the meat and continue to cook until it is tender but not falling apart, another 30 minutes.
• Add the peas and the dill to the skillet and continue to cook the lamb, covered, until the peas are tender, about 6 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.