Kleftiko (Lamb in the oven)

Description

Kleftiko is made of lamb or goat meat is always cooked in a sealed pot. When finished, the meat pulls away easily from the bone. The word kleftiko loosely translates into "meat done by theives" denoting a past practice of thieves stealing meat and cooking their stash on coals in the ground in a sealed pot covered entirely by earth so as not to draw attention by creating smoke; lest they be found.

Ingredients

• 2 kg of Lamb
• salt
• 3 - 4 bay leaves

Directions

1. Take 2 kg of Lamb (usually shoulder) and cut into large chunks (about the size of a mans fist.)
2. Put into a clay dish with a lid (or any oven ware with a tight fitting lid)
3. Sprinkle with salt, put in 3 - 4 bay leaves.
4. Put in a moderately hot oven for the first 20-30 mins, and then cook slowly for a further one and a half to two hours.