I've made kleftiko several times before, but tried Akis' recipe and got universal praise from everyone. I served it with homemade tzatziki and Greek salad with a lemon viniagrette poured over. Plus, Akis was very 'easy on the eye', which is always nice. Thank you Akis.
Akis i would just like to thank you for all your recipes I have cooked you Lamb and lemon Roast Potatoes on many occasions and your Gigantes beans and this Kleftiko. Always goes down so well at dinner parties. Best Greek Cook out there thank you again for making me a better Cook and reminding me of my times in the Greek Islands
Hello Akis, I've been a fan of your cooking show for a long time. I have already cooked many recipes. The Kleftiko is amazingly delicious. My Greek friend was particularly impressed, it tastes like it was prepared by mom.
The term 'kleftiko' doesn't originate from ancient Greece, but from the period of the Ottoman occupation of Greece. People who didn't want to pay taxes and couldn't tolerate the Ottoman yoke, found refuge in the mountains, where they formed guerilla bands, stealing from the rich, irrespective of religion and nationality (that is to say from Greeks and Turkish alike) and ambushing turkish military squads and posses. Those people were called 'kleftes', which literally means 'thieves', although they were not thieves per se but more like guerrillas or freedom fighters. The need of 'kleftes' to cook their food in an inconspicuous manner, so as to go unnoticed, brought forth this particular cooking technique we call 'kleftiko' (from 'kleftes'), which means, loosely interpreted, 'stealthy'.
Made this today. So easy and deeleesh! I added tomato, red onions and also romano peppers to help me reach my five-a-day. This is gonna be a regular recipe for me
Remember one thing, go where the locals go, order what they eat, don't be afraid to ask, we Greeks dying to explain lol. That's for every place on earth.
The thing is, unfortunately in Greece we make a big mistake, these foods we all make in home, but outside you don't find, because Greeks when they go out the house they don't want to eat the house foods. ( Except for university students and men who are not married or who work away from wife) But you can still find places, you will have to ask around to find "magirefto'" (you stress the last syllable) food. Lately slowly some places come up with house Greek cuisine.
I'm currently on Corfu amd have just had the most amazing Stifado. I hope your recipie will taste as good when i attempt this back in the UK. Many Thanks ❤
I love lamp (not lamb) too!! Love kleftico and always have it when in Greece. The camera man Lakis is always ur target, it makes me laugh. Love ur cooking and recipes ........ keep them coming agapi 😘😘
We call this dish thieves kebap. The story is when thieves steal the lamb they cook it underground fully covered for long so they don't get caught by the police or the owner of lamb. Very delicious. Glad you bring it up.
@@dimz796 for me kebap is beef, lamb or pork meat cooked on charcoal fire on skewers. Like souvlaki. But it's used in general for grilled meat or broiled meat. steak is grilled and it's not kebap. If you put beef with vegetables in a pot and cook it, its pot kebap. I think if it's traditional, it's kebap 😊
Your sense of humor is great!!!! This video though! Lamp 🤣 I am going to try this delish looking recipe this weekend!!! What a great video. There is nothing better than a laugh and my favorite chef 😃
He definately must be referring to the period under Ottoman rule. At that time, a Muslim had the right to walk into a non Muslim's house or property, and take whatever they wanted, thus the development of these type of cooking methods. It's also the reason why Greek villages were high up in the mountains, just look at some of the old monastaries, while the Turks occupied the plains below.
@@chm5750 thank you, he is indeed referring to the ottoman era… honestly I don’t know why people get hot and bothered about the potatoes and think he is referring to ancient Greece 2000 years ago. His English is not great but some don’t want to cut him some slack.
Bravo, file mu!!! I luv your vids, i worked for one season at the "poly orea nissos patmos" in a kitchen, so i enjoy watching your videos and trying them at home. Yassou, Alexander Elis.
He's sooo funny!😂😂thank you for A-mazing recepies!🌷I baked one of your bread and my kid said that's the best bread ever like store bought..it's not so normal for her to say this stuff 😉😅❤️🌈
Funny enough I had Kleftiko at restaurant once and it was driest piece of meat that I've ever eaten but clearly it was not done correctly as your version looks amazing and I can't wait to try it out
This food was made by Greek guerrilla rebels called Klephts, during the Ottoman years, they stole an animal, skin it, and place its meat in its own skin with cheese, wild garlic, herbs etc. Then, they dig a hole, lit a fire, place it in and cover it with soil without leaving any traces and they leave. The wool and the lack of oxygen, protects it from burning and there was no smoke , fire or food to be traced. They returned later when it was cooked to take it.
I made this with shanks (leg is hard as heck to find where I live) and it's honestly one of the top 3 dishes I ever made. The best part is it takes essentially zero effort.
Hi Akis, I have followed many of your recipes now and would like to thank you for some truely memorable meals. Whenever all the family are coming around for dinner I turn to one of your recipes (or several as there are often 14 or more of us) Everyone always goes away haveing eaten far too much and very very happy :-)
Great entertainment and I’m going to try this recipe this Easter with all the British family around. Can I cook it in a slow cooker? Also can I leave out the butter as some of the older generation are concerned about fat intake.
Guys! Could you write which exactly cheese you were using and as well as what was the name of alternative version of greek cheese which Akis mentioned.
I love your channel Akis! I am a long time fan! Keep it up Bro! Greetings from a Russian living in México!
Always makes me smile, Top Chef, Top Bloke
I've made kleftiko several times before, but tried Akis' recipe and got universal praise from everyone. I served it with homemade tzatziki and Greek salad with a lemon viniagrette poured over. Plus, Akis was very 'easy on the eye', which is always nice. Thank you Akis.
😎
Imam nove prijatelje sa Cipra,Larnaka,recept je fantastičan moram probati,hvala!
Akis i would just like to thank you for all your recipes I have cooked you Lamb and lemon Roast Potatoes on many occasions and your Gigantes beans and this Kleftiko. Always goes down so well at dinner parties. Best Greek Cook out there thank you again for making me a better Cook and reminding me of my times in the Greek Islands
Akis makes me proud to be greek.
Yes I agree he is a National treasure.
Greek is best- everyone knows that even if they don’t admit it 🤩🥰😋
This is my next cooking task. Akis, you made me a god of cooking for my friends. Thanks!
Hello Akis, I've been a fan of your cooking show for a long time. I have already cooked many recipes. The Kleftiko is amazingly delicious. My Greek friend was particularly impressed, it tastes like it was prepared by mom.
The term 'kleftiko' doesn't originate from ancient Greece, but from the period of the Ottoman occupation of Greece. People who didn't want to pay taxes and couldn't tolerate the Ottoman yoke, found refuge in the mountains, where they formed guerilla bands, stealing from the rich, irrespective of religion and nationality (that is to say from Greeks and Turkish alike) and ambushing turkish military squads and posses. Those people were called 'kleftes', which literally means 'thieves', although they were not thieves per se but more like guerrillas or freedom fighters. The need of 'kleftes' to cook their food in an inconspicuous manner, so as to go unnoticed, brought forth this particular cooking technique we call 'kleftiko' (from 'kleftes'), which means, loosely interpreted, 'stealthy'.
Agree... kelftes kinda like bandits, thieves
You are not an „Alman“, are you? Just kidding 😂😂
The Serbian term is Hajduk (pl. Hajduci), seems to have been a common thing in the Balkans.
Damn, those guys were based
The answer is in its name.
Kleftiko means stolen.
It only tastes kleftiko when it’s stolen. Otherwise it’s anything.
I'm a regular visitor to Crete and Kleftiko with some fresh pitta to mop up the juices is always my first evening meal. Excellent recipe btw.
OMG, Akis... your HAIR!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I like the lamb, too, but let's be honest here... We're all here to swoon hahahaha Im just kidding!
Made this today. So easy and deeleesh! I added tomato, red onions and also romano peppers to help me reach my five-a-day. This is gonna be a regular recipe for me
Stifado and Kleftiko are my two favourite dishes from holidays in Paphos, Cyprus. Made my first Pastitsio last week. Yamas.
Uhhhhhh this Greek Recipe takes my breath away....🤤🤤 looks superlicious ...well done
I seriously need to come to Greece so I can eat all this delicious food!
Remember one thing, go where the locals go, order what they eat, don't be afraid to ask, we Greeks dying to explain lol. That's for every place on earth.
The thing is, unfortunately in Greece we make a big mistake, these foods we all make in home, but outside you don't find, because Greeks when they go out the house they don't want to eat the house foods. ( Except for university students and men who are not married or who work away from wife)
But you can still find places, you will have to ask around to find "magirefto'" (you stress the last syllable) food.
Lately slowly some places come up with house Greek cuisine.
We do indeed love you Akis as well as your cooking efxaristo
Grande Akis!
LEGEND. Cooked this numerous times, and, PERFECTO EVERY TIME. Thanks and love from Australia. !! 👍👍👍
That looked absolutely scrumptious. So delicious. And extremely easy the way you made it. Also, we love your English, splatters and all.
Fantastic recepie. So delicious. Thank you Akis
I'm currently on Corfu amd have just had the most amazing Stifado. I hope your recipie will taste as good when i attempt this back in the UK. Many Thanks ❤
I love lamp (not lamb) too!! Love kleftico and always have it when in Greece. The camera man Lakis is always ur target, it makes me laugh. Love ur cooking and recipes ........ keep them coming agapi 😘😘
Love you i love greek food i worked with family greek for 18 years i do cook greek food close my eyes best food
Will definitely try it ! Thanks 🙏🏼 love from California
Enjoy eating chef Akis watching from Philippines.. Yummy greek cuisine.
We call this dish thieves kebap. The story is when thieves steal the lamb they cook it underground fully covered for long so they don't get caught by the police or the owner of lamb. Very delicious. Glad you bring it up.
That's exactly what "Kleftiko" means in Greek: Belonging to thieves. A "kleftis" is a thief.
So what does kebap mean in Turkish? Meat cooked on a skewer or just cooked meat in general?
@@dimz796 for me kebap is beef, lamb or pork meat cooked on charcoal fire on skewers. Like souvlaki. But it's used in general for grilled meat or broiled meat. steak is grilled and it's not kebap. If you put beef with vegetables in a pot and cook it, its pot kebap. I think if it's traditional, it's kebap 😊
We DON'T call it kebab. What are you talking about?
@@aokiaoki4238 well we do.
Some people were born for RUclips. Gorgeous recipe
the lamb is so tender, it's really that good!
This looks so good. I am definitely making this.
Why I’m watching this while I’m fasting?? #mouthwatering
IT happens to All of US. THIS SAME THING
Hi Akis oh my soul madly in love with your channel when you make your dishes it makes me so excited. Oh I am from South Africa😁😄
Akis ❤👏 .. Ur way of explaining in ur style is so appreciated🙏❤. We like them.. Not only speaking but also cooking... 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻those lamb are so tender👌🏻
Amazing as always
these look so good. they're so tender.
I tasted every mouthful with you. You take me back to so many holidays in Greece ,seems so long ago now. Tonight I had the Greek lamb kebab ......
Τhere is no ''kebab'' in Hellas ..We call it ''Kontosouvli''
Have tried this recipe today. It is so good even without honey. Thanks for sharing
My absolute favourite dish. Just need to say I love your kitchen!!
Love your Greek recipes ! Give us more mains!
Omg i love lamb and new recipes
I make leg of lamb on Easter and will be making your recipe next Easter. Looks amazingly delicious 🥂
Ho seguito la ricetta, un successo. Grazie
Love from Russia mate!
Wow! That's a great fact.. Thanks 😉
Hahaha😂💯. We always enjoy your pronunciation.
Your sense of humor is great!!!! This video though! Lamp 🤣 I am going to try this delish looking recipe this weekend!!! What a great video. There is nothing better than a laugh and my favorite chef 😃
The dish really looks Am bi li ba bull. Salutes from Spain.
Love this meal in Greece, my favourite
wow Akis very very goog
And your Windex is Greek too!😅😅😅
Just kidding!
Good job my friend. Always learn something from a great ancient culture. I especially love Greek food.
I finally see the color of Akis eyes! (I think...green...) I couldn't see the color before! The lamb looks tender.
thank you. This is so great!
One of my top favorite recipes, together with moussaka and osso bucco with orzo
Completely agree on the Oliver oil!!!
I visite two times Grèce. It was one of m'y favorite diches ! Very tasty.
I love your recipe
Greek honey is #1 for sure. I like Crete very much
In Ancient Greece they did not even have normal potatoes I would say, since the Americas were not discovered yet! ;-)
Potatoes were imported in Greece in 1828 by governor Kapodistrias. There is a famous story about that if you look it up.
In Greece before potatoes were known meat was cooked with quince ,if you asked me much better than potatoes.
He probably means middle ages through turkocracy
He definately must be referring to the period under Ottoman rule. At that time, a Muslim had the right to walk into a non Muslim's house or property, and take whatever they wanted, thus the development of these type of cooking methods. It's also the reason why Greek villages were high up in the mountains, just look at some of the old monastaries, while the Turks occupied the plains below.
@@chm5750 thank you, he is indeed referring to the ottoman era… honestly I don’t know why people get hot and bothered about the potatoes and think he is referring to ancient Greece 2000 years ago. His English is not great but some don’t want to cut him some slack.
❤❤❤❤ so yummy ❤❤❤. Do you have special Greek drinks?
My mouth is watering!! ❤
I have been making your greek lamb recipes for a year!
Sensationell !
Brilliant. Easy to make and boy are you funny. Love your videos.
Find someone who loves you the way Akis loves "Extra virgin Greek olive oil"
I’m drooling already!!! 🤗🤗♥️♥️
I got try one and the taste so fantastic Yummy
U tthe Best ever I seen on RUclips ! 👍😎💖🙌👌
Perfect for mother's day isn't it?! 👍👍
Of course you can't have ennemis you know how to Cook. It makes it easier to win hearts . 😂
Well done!
Wow looks tummy want to make soon.!👍
Wonderful!!!! May I ask what happens to the potatoes after 4 hours. Do they just integrate and form part of the juices?
Bravo, file mu!!! I luv your vids, i worked for one season at the "poly orea nissos patmos" in a kitchen, so i enjoy watching your videos and trying them at home. Yassou, Alexander Elis.
He's sooo funny!😂😂thank you for A-mazing recepies!🌷I baked one of your bread and my kid said that's the best bread ever like store bought..it's not so normal for her to say this stuff 😉😅❤️🌈
The 3 best greek things in the world are:olive oil,honney,yoghurt and lamb.....
These are four. KEK
Tessera haha but there's much more for example Tarama!!
Lamp**
Ok...
I think it’s more like garlic , oregano and olive oil 🤷🏻♂️
Hi everybody, hi Akis food looks great man very good
Το ελληνικό αρνί είναι το καλύτερο! Με σαλάτα καί τό ψωμί...... ΓΕΎΣΗ.
MY OVEN IS PREHEATED TO 170° CELCIUS SET TO FAN
Love how he just screams that for no reason XD
you explain better than anyone
Bravo hon ❤👏👏❤
Looks delicious
Best kleftiko I have ever had , even without honey and cheese !
Funny enough I had Kleftiko at restaurant once and it was driest piece of meat that I've ever eaten but clearly it was not done correctly as your version looks amazing and I can't wait to try it out
...and the Lamp glows!
Kleftiko is great! What about mint add?
Great recipe my friend!
Can you make this recipe with a bone out lamb leg?
Thank you!
This food was made by Greek guerrilla rebels called Klephts, during the Ottoman years, they stole an animal, skin it, and place its meat in its own skin with cheese, wild garlic, herbs etc.
Then, they dig a hole, lit a fire, place it in and cover it with soil without leaving any traces and they leave. The wool and the lack of oxygen, protects it from burning and there was no smoke , fire or food to be traced. They returned later when it was cooked to take it.
🥰 thank you
That looked so scrumptious what alternative cheese can I use?
Any yellow, hardish cheese that won't melt. Pecorino, Romano.
If it's a sheep's or goat's milk cheese, even better.
We make it with Gruyère
And it was beautiful! 😋
I made this with shanks (leg is hard as heck to find where I live) and it's honestly one of the top 3 dishes I ever made. The best part is it takes essentially zero effort.
Hi Akis, I have followed many of your recipes now and would like to thank you for some truely memorable meals. Whenever all the family are coming around for dinner I turn to one of your recipes (or several as there are often 14 or more of us) Everyone always goes away haveing eaten far too much and very very happy :-)
Άκη είσαι παναιμορφος!!!!!!
Absolutely delicious 😋 making it again today 👌🏻
I love your videos!
Great entertainment and I’m going to try this recipe this Easter with all the British family around. Can I cook it in a slow cooker? Also can I leave out the butter as some of the older generation are concerned about fat intake.
I am not the chef, Despina, but in order for it to get color at some point it needs to be in the oven. I hope it turned out well for you!
lol , i love when you speak english! Buon Appetito !
You are a superstar Akis, so cute, fun and adorable... MY NEW gorgeous FAVIRITE!!!! All the best from Magnus in Norway....See you soon
Perfect!
Guys! Could you write which exactly cheese you were using and as well as what was the name of alternative version of greek cheese which Akis mentioned.
Gruyère cheese.
Kefalograviera is the Greek cheese, which is a kind of gruyere.
And the best lamb in the world
VERY NICE KLEFTIKO KIA PENTANOSTIMO AKIS