top of page
Traditional Cypriot recipes made easy
Yahnili makarna (chicken and tomato stew with pasta)
Yahnili makarna is a comforting Cypriot village pasta dish . It brings together a rich chicken, tomato and onion stew with bucatini pasta, and is finished simply with grated hellim / halloumi mixed with a little dried mint. Pronounced 'yah-nee-lee ma-kar-nah', it's a meal that feels instantly homely and is often cooked for cosy family gatherings - similar to magarina bulli . The stew is incredibly easy to make and full of flavour. Onions are the key ingredient, and we use a
Molohiya (jute mallow leaf stew)
Molohiya, also known as molokhia, mulukhiyah, or jute mallow, is a vibrant green leafy vegetable . Pronounced ' moh-loh-hee-yah', i ts leaves are used in a variety of dishes in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cuisines. Cypriots use the dried leaves to make a hearty stew which shares the name of the vegetable. In villages, it’s a common summer evening activity to gather with friends and family to strip leaves from freshly picked plants while sharing gossip ov
A bit about us
At The Köy Kitchen, we share traditional Cypriot recipes along with tips, techniques and stories that bring the flavours of Cyprus to your home.
Fırın makarnası (Cypriot pasta bake)
Fırın makarnası is a mouthwatering Cypriot baked pasta dish that brings everyone to the table and is traditionally made for family gatherings and celebrations. Every household makes it a little differently, but the heart of the recipe is always the same: neatly layered bucatini pasta, savoury minced meat, and a rich cheese and béchamel sauce. We bring a touch of British influence to our fırın makarnası recipe by adding cheddar cheese to the sauce, which gives it a stronger f
Kleftiko / Hırsız kebabı (slow roast lamb)
In Greek, kleftiko literally means ‘thief’. This peculiar name originates from stories of thieves that would steal lambs or goats from farmers’ flocks in the mountains. They would slow-cook their meat for hours in sealed underground pits to avoid getting caught. In Turkish, the dish is called hırsız kebabı (which similarly means 'kebab of thieves’) or fırın kebabı (meaning 'oven kebab'). In Cyprus, there are popular restaurants peppered around the island that make the dish in
Sütlü börek (semolina custard filled syrup pastry)
Sütlü börek (galaktoboureko in Greek) is a heavenly Cypriot dessert . Sütlü (soot-loo) means 'milky' in Turkish, in reference to the firm yet smooth vanilla-infused semolina custard filling. The layers of golden, buttery and flaky filo pastry of sütlü börek offer a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the custard. With its delicate texture, the pastry feels wonderfully light to eat. The aromas of rose, cinnamon and cloves come gently through as the syrup oozes in
Tel kadayıf tatlısı (kadaif and nut pastry)
Tel kadayıf tatlısı is a dessert that’s popular in Cyprus and, like e kmek kadayıfı , is often made on special occasions such as Bayram (Eid). Pronounced 'tehl kah-dah-yuf', it feels light to eat with its delicate layers of soft wispy pastry and chopped nuts. By brushing the layers of pastry generously with melted butter, it gives the dessert a rich flavour which pairs perfectly with the fragrant rose syrup. We use a blend of almonds and walnuts in the centre and top with p
bottom of page