The Capsule Pantry: Greek Kleftiko

To see you through these dark winter days winter

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If you ask me, too many stews - especially from where I’m from in Britain - are way too heavy. The sauces are too thick and unctuous, there’s no acid to cut through and after a couple of bites, you’re done.

Enter Kleftiko.

This is a Greek stew typically made with lamb, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, lemons and white wine. In other words, allllll the acid.

Of course, this is The Capsule Pantry so you can think beyond lamb - I made this with chicken thighs last week and I’ve been known to make it with just the vegetables.

Everything is cooked down for at least an hour and a half or ideally longer, especially if you’re using a slow-cooked cut of meat. The recipe I’ve used and adapted also calls for feta cheese to be added towards the end of the cooking time which is a revelation.

The result is a bright, light, fresh stew that of course, suits the heat of the Greek sun (but I can also vouch works in 40F British weather with rain lashing down outside).

Greek Kleftiko (serves 4)