Once you find yourself to Cyprus, you will discover and taste the Cyprus cuisine, which is delicious and full of aromas for all tastes.
The below recipes are easy to make even at your own kitchen and they will give you an idea what to expect when you visit the island.
Once you have a taste, the temptation to come to Cyprus will be enormous!
"Talatouri" Dip with Yoghurt and Mint
The perfect traditional Cypriot Talatouri dip recipe! Talatouri is a traditional Cypriot dip, that is known and loved around the world. Velvet, thick and rich, talatouri is the ideal match for grilled meat!
Ingredients
1 cucumber
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 of a cup extra virgin olive oil
500g strained Greek yogurt (18 ounces)
juice of 1 lemon
2–3 tbsp chopped fresh mint
a pinch of salt
Preparation
Remove the skin and the seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes
Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.
In a bowl, add the cucumber, the minced garlic and olive oil, the yogurt, juice of 1 lemon, mint, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined.
Store in the fridge and always serve cold. (Alternatively, if you have a blender, pour in the olive oil and garlic and blend until combined. Then mix with the rest of the ingredients using a spoon. This will help the garlic to mix better with the rest of the ingredients)
Prepare this traditional Talatouri dip for your friends and family and serve with some warm pita breads aside, or as a sauce for souvlaki or kebab.
Lamp Stew - "Tavas"
Tavas is one of the most traditional and popular dishes in Cyprus. For those who don’t like the strong taste of lamb use beef!
It is perfectly suited to be cooked in the slow cooker. *
Ingredients
1 kg lamb
1 kg potatoes
3-4 large onions
5-6 ripe tomatoes
2-3 bay leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds, slightly crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
cinnamon, salt, pepper
Preparation
Cut the meat into medium sized cubes
Peel, and cut the potatoes in four
Peel and cut the onions in slices
Cut the tomatoes in slices
Put the meat, potatoes, onions and tomatoes in layers in a baking dish
Add the oil, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, salt and pepper
Transfer to an oven pre-heated to 180°C and bake for about 150 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the potatoes are golden brown. Serve hot.
Ladies Fingers - "Daktyla Daktyla - ladies fingers, a delicious sweet pastry filled with a mixture of almonds, cinnamon and sugar and whilst still hot, immersed in cold syrup. Excellent any time of the day, but with a cup of Cyprus coffee absolutely irresistible!
Ingredients
Pastry:
400 gr self-raising flour
100 gr flour 00 (plain flour)
160 gr oil (half sunflower - half olive)
pinch of salt
250 ml water
Syrup:
475 gr sugar
500 ml water
3-4 gloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon lemon juice
100 gr honey (good quality)
1 tablespoon rose or blossom water
Filling:
200 gr almonds coarsely chopped
1 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 - 2 teaspoons sugar
Preparation
Daktyla (daugh)
Sift the flour and rub in the oil.
Add the salt and water and knead to a firm dough.
Cover and stand for 1/2 – 1 hour.
Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut into 8X12 cm rectangles.
Mix well all the ingredients for the filling.
Put a teaspoon of filling at the edge of the rectangle and roll into a sausage shape.
Press the two ends with a fork to seal.
Fry in hot oil until golden brown and then drain on absorbent paper.
Dip in cold syrup for a few seconds, drain and transfer to a plate.
Syrup
Combine all the ingredients, except the citrus blossom water, in a saucepa
Stir until sugar is dissolved and boil for 5 minutes.
Add the citrus blossom water just before removing from heat. Allow to boil
