Arnaki Kleftiko (Bandit's Lamb)

Ingredients

• 4 lbs leg of lamb
• 12 garlic cloves, peeled
• 6 ounces cheese, cut in cubes (kefalotyri, pecorino)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 lbs baking potatoes (peeled and cut in half or quarters)
• 3 medium carrots, cut in chunks
• sea salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 5 sheets of parchment cooking paper
• water

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 480°F

2. 2

   Rub the lamb with a little olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

3. 3

   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.

4. 4

   Drizzle the potatoes and carrots with any remaining oil, season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. 5

   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.

6. 6

   Close the parchment paper and secure well, tucking the sides underneath to make a packet.

7. 7

   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.

8. 8

   When done, lift the entire packet onto a serving platter, and cut open at the table to serve.

9. 9

   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.