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

Taze fasulye yahni is a wholesome Turkish stew , with green beans, potatoes and carrots in a rich tomato and onion sauce. Pronounced 'tah-zeh fah-sool-yeh yah-nee', it is similar to bezelye yahni (Turkish pea and tomato stew) as the sauce is made slightly tangy from the addition of lemon juice. However, it's less sweet as the beans provide a gentle, earthy flavour. Olive oil is a key ingredient as it adds depth to the stew and gives the sauce a silky texture. Taze fasulye yah

Bezelye yemeği is a delicious Cypriot vegetable stew , with similar dishes found across the Mediterranean. Pronounced 'beh-zehl-yeh', the key ingredient and the one the dish is named after is peas, which give it a delicate, sweet flavour. The rich tomato sauce is simply seasoned with warming ground black pepper, with chopped parsley and lemon juice adding freshness to lift the dish. The addition of extra virgin olive oil and artichoke bottoms providing an earthy depth, with C

Ispanak yemeği is a hearty and nutritious Turkish stew . The generous addition of garlic and onions provides a wonderful aroma to the rich tomato sauce, balancing the mild, earthy flavours of the spinach (ıspanak - 'uh-spah-nak'). The köfte (beef meatballs) are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, including fresh parsley, dried oregano, ground cinnamon, ground cumin and ground black pepper. This combination lends sweet and earthy flavours, as well as a gentle warmth tha

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

Pazılı kuru börülce salatası (louvi in Greek) is a staple Cypriot salad that is best enjoyed when fresh chard is in season. It brings together the delicately earthy, creamy and nutty flavours of dried black-eyed beans (kuru börulce - 'kuh-ruh buh-rool-jeh') with the mellow, mildly earthy-sweet flavours of chard (pazı - 'pah-zuh'). The salad is brightened with a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil blended with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Pazılı kuru börülce

Kolokas yemeği is a traditional and much-loved Cypriot stew . It’s made by slowly simmering thick slices of taro root with a rich beef and tomato sauce that contains a mix of herbs and spices, including freshly chopped parsley, ground cinnamon and cumin. The earthy-sweet aromas blend with warming pul biber and ground black pepper to create a comforting stew that’s perfect for autumn and winter when the vegetable is in season. Taro root has a starchy yet silky texture that abs

Gömeç salatası is a light and healthy Cypriot salad . Mallow leaves (gömeç - ' gyuh-mech') have a mild, slightly earthy flavour similar to that of chard, but the leaves are silky in texture and the stalks are firmer. The salad is dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil, so as not to overpower the mild flavours. You can also add chopped garlic to the dressing for a bolder flavour. Wild mallow leaves grow all over the countryside in Cyprus during early spring, with locals

Kıymalı garavolli makarna is a hearty and comforting Cypriot pasta dish . Pronounced 'kiy-mah-luh gah-rah-voh-lee mah-kar-nah', the conchiglie pasta shells become filled with the rich and fragrant beef and tomato sauce, ensuring every bite is packed full of flavour. Dried oregano and ground cumin provide earthy flavours that are perfectly balanced by the fresh chopped parsley. The ground cinnamon and chopped onions add sweetness which works well with the minced beef and nutty

Enginar dolması (en-gee-nahr dohl-mah-suh) is a delightful Turkish dish to eat. The minced beef, tomato, onions and herbs in the filling work together to add rich flavours, with the lemon juice contrasting the earthiness of the artichoke. Adding rice to the filling provides texture and makes it firm and easy to scoop out with a fork while eating. The Cyprus artichokes used in this recipe are widely available at Turkish supermarkets in winter months when they are in season. T

Mercimek çorbası is a comforting and nutritious lentil soup that you may know from Turkish restaurants. Pronounced 'mehr-jee-mek chor-bah-suh', the Cypriot version of the dish (this recipe) uses a generous amount of lemon juice as a key ingredient for a fresh, zesty flavour and bright golden hue. Chopped onions add an earthy fragrance that balances the creamy lentils, while ground black pepper brings gentle warmth. As we use plenty of lemon juice in our recipe, you may wish

Şehriyeli pilav is a staple Turkish side dish served with most Cypriot stews and oven dishes. Pronounced 'sheh-ree-yeh-lee pih-lahv', it combines long grain rice with fried tel şehriye (broken vermicelli), giving it a fragrant, nutty flavour and adding a touch of colour. The dish has a delicate balance of textures, with the slightly chewy şehriye contrasting the soft, tender rice perfectly. Traditionally, before mass production of şehriye, women in Cypriot villages would gath

Etli fiyonk makarna is a quick alternative to mantı (meat-filled Turkish dumplings) as it borrows the same filling ingredients. Pronounced 'et-lee fee-yonk mah-kahr-nah', the minced meat is deeply fragrant from the addition of earthy dried oregano and ground cumin, while the chopped parsley and ground cinnamon balance these flavours with a hint of sweetness. Farfalle pasta is used in this recipe for its similarity in texture to mantı, thanks to its flat shape and slightly che

Etli dolma (eht-lee dohl-mah) is a delicious dish of stuffed vine leaves with a minced beef, tomato, onion and herb filling. The addition of lemon juice, parsley and mint provide vibrant fresh flavours that balance the rich meat and earthy onions. The word dolma is used to describe any Turkish dish involving stuffing, from stuffed artichokes to courgette flowers. In Greece, stuffed vine leaves are called dolmades, while Greek Cypriots call them koupepia. However, they are all