Tava is a traditional oven-baked lamb dish that's popular in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. In Turkish, tava means 'pan', which reflects how it is prepared. Chunky cuts of lamb neck are slow-cooked in a richly flavoured tomato sauce until soft and tender. It's hearty and comforting, making it perfect for a cosy weekend shared with family and friends. The sauce is deeply fragrant from the use of oregano, cumin, cinnamon and bay leaves. A generous amount of sliced onions also adds

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

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