Çakıstes (cracked green olives) are a common sight at a Cypriot dinner table, as they go perfectly with any yahni (stew) , along with fresh spring onions and bread. They’re also perfect as part of a meze or breakfast spread. Cypriot green olives are harvested in the autumn months and are traditionally prepared with the cracking method, where a stone is used to split the skin of each olive without removing the pit. The cracked olives are then soaked in fresh water for several

Patates köftesi are a family favourite. Each fried kofta is packed full of spice and flavour, with a crispy outer shell and a soft, comforting centre. Pronounced 'pah-tah-tess keuf-teh-see', they're perfect served with freshly prepared fasulye salatası (white bean salad) or chips (made with Cyprus potatoes) and salad. The dried oregano in the patates köftesi combines with cumin and black pepper to create a warm, earthy depth. A touch of ground cinnamon adds a subtle sweetnes

Şeftali kebab (pronounced 'shef-ta-lee') is a beautifully seasoned Cypriot beef and lamb sausage wrapped generously in lamb caul fat. The...

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

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

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