I adore my Big Fat Greek Family-I don’t know where I’d be without them- we are one loving, (pretty) loud, food-loving family and hosting a Sunday lunch to celebrate them and treat them to a feast from Iceland was a joy.
Here’s the gang in all their glory!
Guests arrived for brunch and gobbled up the oven baked croissants and pain au chocolats from Iceland baked from frozen-the kids adore these and they are now a weekend breakfast staple for this family.
I then set to work in the kitchen cooking the lamb and chicken at the same time and timed it so I popped the roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire puddings so all would be ready at the same time. The steamed veg was popped into the microwave before serving too.
Despite having lots of relatives round the table, it felt like a stress-free Sunday lunch with delicious quality ingredients from Iceland.
Here are my recipes for Greek Roast Chicken and Greek Roast Lamb. I’ve shared these classic dishes on the blog before but never together along with the perfect accompaniments and side dishes as they are here.
Greek Roast Chicken
Ingredients: (Serves 6-8)
- 1 The Butcher’s Market Class ‘A’ Fresh Scottish Whole Large Chicken 1.9Kg
- 1/2 lemon
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for seasoning
- Handful of fresh oregano
- 2 shallots
- 4-5 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
- 2 white onions, roughly chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced and quartered
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 50ml Levante Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 50g Graham’s Slightly Salted Scottish Butter, cubed
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180° C/ Gas Mark 6
- Rinse and dry the chicken and then place it in the middle of a oven proof dish, rub well with the half-lemon, gently squeezing it so that the juices run onto the chicken.
- Lightly rub sea salt and black pepper all over the chicken, as well as into the cavity
- Make small scores into the skin and stud it with the garlic, also place a small amount in the cavity. Leave to marinate for 1/2 an hour in the fridge.
- Place one of the onions and the oregano in the cavity. Put the chicken in the middle of a oven proof dish with the other onion and the sliced lemon.
- Sprinkle the dried oregano all over the bird.
- Pour the lemon juice and olive oil all over the chicken and place the cubes of the butter on the chicken aso it will melt into dish.
- Cover the chicken loosely with foil and cook near the middle of the oven for approximately 20 – 25 minutes per 454g (1lb) plus 20 – 25 minutes (remove foil for the last 25 minutes).
- Ensure the Chicken is thoroughly cooked, no pink colour remains and juices run clear.
- Allow to stand 10 minutes before carving and serve with onions and juices.
Greek Roast Lamb (or Arni Sto Fourno)
Ingredients:
- The Butcher’s Market Whole Leg Of Lamb (2Kg)
- 4-5 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
- Handful of fresh rosemary leaves
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 50ml Levante Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 onions, roughly chopped
For this recipe, I defrosted the lamb in order to marinate it, however, it can also be conveniently cooked from frozen.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 6.
- Rinse the meat and pat dry with kitchen paper. Score the lamb and press garlic rolled in salt and pepper into the slits.
- Rub the meat with the juice of 1/2 a lemon and salt and place in the roasting tin.
- Pour the olive oil and remaining lemon juice over the meat.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano.
- Cover loosely with foil.
- Place into a roasting tin near the middle of the oven for 2hrs 25-35 mins.
- 2 hours into cooking time, remove foil, return to oven for 25-35 mins.
- Serve with onions and juices
Making the delicious Yorkshire puddings is easy:
- Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
- Remove required amount from all packaging.
- Place onto a baking tray near the middle of the oven for 6-8 minutes
One large bag of Iceland’s Roast Potatoes was enough even for this hungry family and once again proved to be a dream to prepare in the kitchen.
To cook
- Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees/Gas Mark 7
- Remove required amount from packaging.
- Place in a roasting tin near top of the oven.
- Turn half way through cooking time
- Roast for 30-35 minutes in total
And of course no roast is complete without creamy Cauliflower Cheese.
- Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees / Gas Mark 6
- Remove from all packaging, place in an ovenproof dish (leave uncovered).
- Place near the middle of the oven and cook for 40 – 45 minutes until golden on top.
And last but by no means least, prep your super simple veggies – Iceland’s Peas and Sweetcorn Steam Bags
- Remove bag from outer packaging (do not open or pierce bag).
- Place on a microwaveable plate.
- Cook for 3 minutes.
- Stand for 30 seconds.
And here is the finished feast – wow!
Sunday was a chance to catch up with cousins big and small too-my 10 month old second cousin Leo is just so handsome-a smiley baby, he loved crawling around the kitchen floor as we all chatted away.
My 5 month old baby nephew Zachary stole my heart the minute he was born, I feel like his second Mummy and it was hard to put him down.
I can’t wait until he starts eating and he can join us for Sunday lunch too! I’ve got a feeling he’s going to be a foodie like the rest of us!
Here with my Mama and wonderful Auntie Loulla.
Everyone was fit to burst by the end but managed a slice of creamy and delicious fruit gateau of Iceland’s Luxury 12 Portion Sliced Fruit Gateau (1.5Kg).
WHAT AN AWESOME Sunday lunch.
P.S If you are thinking of having an epic lunch to celebrate Easter do not miss these amazing deals from Iceland-
This slow cooked leg of lamb has been reduced from £15 to £10 and is a delicious leg of New Zealand lamb marinated in rosemary and garlic.
Or are you more of a chicken-fanatic? We love this frozen boneless spatchcock chicken with garlic and herb melt- which is just £5!
And to end-this magnificent Luxury chocolate Easter Egg box makes for an epic dessert for after dinner. A dreamy chocolate mousse filled with layers of chocolate and almond crispy biscuit, chocolate sponge, meringue and dark chocolate cream, topped with chocolate eggs filled with Chantilly cream and caramel.
-There is also a super offer for Easter eggs where you can pick up 2 chocolate eggs for just £5.
Head to Iceland for Easter folks!
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Wow!!!
It is a very nice post on “My big fat Greek family Sunday lunch with Iceland (including recipes)”. Enjoyed a lot while reading it.
Now that’s one beautiful, natural photo filled with a whole of love and happiness. You can’t say fairer than that Vicky… Thanks for hosting #BrillBlogPosts
Carol Cameleon recently posted…Bring on the can … relax with #TheZenZing
It amazes me that you can create a feast completely from frozen. I’ve been following your recipes and cooking tips with ingredients all from Iceland and I’ve been so impressed. You make a gorgeous spread hun! And I think I may just have to try out our new Iceland once it’s completed x
lizzie ( firstooth ) recently posted…Weight Loss – The Final Result With Nutribuddy
Yay so wonderful to read that, Iceland is an incredible supermarket isn’t it! Enjoy your feast and thanks for your kind comment x
How were the roasties? They’re the most important bit!
Amazing!
Honest Mum recently posted…King Prawn Masala
What a lovely family you have! Those Yorkshire Puddings look particularly perfect! Love a good Yorkshire 😉 Well done cooking for all your family so beautifully 🙂
Harrogate Mama recently posted…This week’s Playgroup Craft – Easter hats and baskets
Thanks darling, it was such a wonderful lunch xx
Honest Mum recently posted…King Prawn Masala
Beautiful photography and what a feast! Your family look like you all have such a laugh together! x #brillianblogposts
Helen recently posted…“Mummy, you don’t have a Daddy do you?”
Thanks Helen, we really do xx
Looks like a lovely family lunch. And those desserts look amazing! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Thanks darling, fab lunch with amazing family-desserts are dreamy x
Two of my favourite meats plus baked spuds (yum) and creamy cauliflower cheese? Sounds like perfection to me!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted…How to plan a fully inclusive Easter egg hunt
Aw it was sooo good! Thanks for your comment x
So hungry. And it’s only 6.50am. Gosh that looks amazing … has given me some ideas for the weekend, too. Thanks for the inspiration! #brilliantblogposts
Right Royal Mother recently posted…MAD Awards 2016: Nominate Right Royal Mother – New Blog
Thanks, so glad you enjoyed the feast xx
Oh my word my mouth is watering so much at that lovely looking roast chicken – and don’t get me started on the Yorkshires! Just another reason to miss home boo hoo! Iceland needs to move to Aus too, clearly 🙂 x x #brilliantblogposts
Aw-they do! Maybe I can pack you up some Yorkshires and come visit! Ha xx
The food looks wonderful as does your family! So nice to get everyone together over Sunday lunch x #brillblogppsts
Sarah – To Maternity & Beyond recently posted…One more day
It was fab, nothing beats great food and company x
Loving all this food – making me wish the other half would hurry home so we can have some dinner!
Aw hope you have eaten now!
Those recipes are making my tummy rumble. And I LOVE your son’s shirt! (Just seen the comment above – so annoying when you find out things are from abroad…)Great post #brillblogposts
Thanks Robina, it might be available in the UK but Zara tend to specialise in European branches x
What an unbelievable feast for the eyes and senses… and stomach of course. I love your big Greek family too and can only imagine the chaos if my fam and yours had a get together haha. Your little nephew melts my heart, so adorable. And those recipes are fantastic, would love to try the Greek roast chicken and having cooked Papa G’s lamb kleftiko to much licking of fingers, will definitely give your roast lamb a whirl. I saw another recipe the other day that called for anchovies, which intrigues but also scares me as I hate them… but curious to see what they add to the meat. Love this post x
Babes about Town recently posted…10 Best Easter Egg Hunts in London 2016
OOh yes that’s Jamie Oliver’s I think-the saltiness works really well with the lamb-do it! Aw we need a Nigerian meets Greek meet up-imagine the fun (and noise)! Love it xx
Hi Vicki, Iceland certainly do take the stress out of cooking a roast, giving you more time to spend with your guests. Zak looks a proper little cutie and I bet he gets spoiled rotten.
If I were over there I’d certainly enjoy the chocolate Easter egg box.
xx
Debbie recently posted…Clean Monday At Spiliotissa Monastery, Zakynthos
Haha that Easter egg box is amazing! Iceland really do take the stress out of cooking, it was such a fun and delicious day with the family x
Food looks great! You cant beat a good roast chicken and leg of lamb can you?! We love our sunday dinners here and always prepare way to much for our little family! I never shop at Iceland and to be honest I probably wouldn’t think too but the meal you prepared looks amazing and I love the desserts! 🙂
#brillblogposts
Seriously delicious food at amazing prices Becca, so glad you like the feast x
Oh my gosh, how fabulous! Everything looks so delicious…especially your roasted lamb and chicken recipes. I live in the U.S., but Iceland looks fabulous. (Your chickens look better than our commercial chickens for sure!) Glad to see you and your family enjoying such a lovely brunch, Vicki! Great job! Oh, and that photo of the olive oil pouring from the bottle is beautiful…what a shot.
Regina L. L. Wells recently posted…Spring Cleaning…Forget the Basement
Thank you darling, Peter took the shots-it was such a lovely day full of love and great food x
Oh I’m so hungry now!! Looks like you all had a fab, stress-free family feast 🙂
Thanks Catherine, we really did, such a lovely day x
Beautifully done! I am VERY VERY spoiled as my in-laws cook a feast for the whole family every Sunday(I know!) but this looks like something even I could manage! So lovely getting the family together, especially when there is a wee cutie like your nephew to squish 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
Mess and Merlot recently posted…Desiderata -A Modern Day Take
Aw thanks lovely, Zachary is so cute and it was such a stress-free, fun and tasty lunch x
This all looks delicious, can’t wait for an Easter Sunday lunch now and borrowing some of these ideas 🙂
Parenting By Nembers recently posted…The Job Description…
Thanks lovely, it was an amazing feast. Happy Easter x
Loving the look of both recipes, especially the chicken. And there I was expecting gyros??!! Really impressed with how Icelanad’s range has grown.
John Adams recently posted…Catering equipment; Three kitchen upgrades you need this year
Haha next time John when it’s a bit warmer to cook outside. Iceland is an amazing supermarket x
It looks gorgeous! I especially like the look of the chicken.
Corina recently posted…Black Quinoa and Chicken Salad
Thanks Corina, a delicious lunch with my amazing family x
Can I come this looks yummy hope you had a great time the food looks delicious thanks for hosting the #brilliantblogposts
Thaks Nige, ha, welcome any time!
OMW, coming from South Africa, we are such big lamb eaters.. It is so hard to find here in the States!! Luckily came across some just in time for Easter! LOVE these recipes! Nothing better than a big family! x
One Messy Mama recently posted…Go To Bed Already!!
Thanks so much, wonderful to have a big family, realise how lucky we are x
OMG what a HUGE FEAST!!!!! I wish I were invited – lol!!! The question is: do you have any leftovers?!
Haha there were NONE! Come visit us!
Oh my that all looks heavenly – I’m definitely coming to yours for a roast!!
Come over, how amazing would that be?! x
Oh my goodness that all looks so wonderful, what a roast. I love how your family cook, “with a big hand” as my mum would say. And your gorgeous nephew has grown so much.
Oh I love that darling, so true! Zachary is such a big boy now x
That Easter egg box looks divine! And I bet the croissants and pain au chocolats would go down well in our house. Such a good idea to buy them frozen. Lovely to see your whole gorgeous family here Vicky.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…26 London museums you can visit in one day*
Thanks so much Nell, we had such a great day, I know you guys will love the croissants & pain au chocolats-we have them every weekend now x
Yum yum yum! Easter at your house lookS amazing! I never would have guessed all those items were from Iceland. Lamb is out choice this weekend and will definitely be trying it your way. Happy Easter to you and your gorgeous family darling! Xxx
Thank you darling, a superb lunch with my wonderful family, Happy Easter to you all sweetpea xx
Wow! What a feast. That chicken and lamb look to die for. When can I come for lunch? 😉 BTW, love Xander’s shirt.
Cool shirt huh-all the way from Zara Spain from his godmother, my aunt. Come over asap-a delicious feast for all is waiting xx