There are a multitude of different fillings, according to the season and the occasion. The pastry used to wrap them also varies, from the paper-thin fillo pastry found in the cities to permutations of homemade puff pastry, or a simple, homemade substitute for fillo. Fillo pastry freezes well and it will keep frozen for up to […]

Ingredients: A pack of pitas 1 lb ground beef 1 lb white onion 1 or 2 tomatoes Salt, black pepper to taste If you can’t find tomatoes, you can replace it with 2 table spoons of tomatoe puree. Preparation: Peel, wash, place onions with tomatoes in a food processor and ground. Add salt, black pepper […]

Extremely appetising and refreshing, this can be served with hot pitta or bread to be dipped in. It is a very Cypriot dish which is also offered along with kebabs, or with mezze. Preparation time: 10 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 5 tablespoons Tahini paste 150 ml (1/4 pint) warm water 1-2 cloves of garlic 6 […]

This rich tomato sauce with cubes of fried Cypriot cheese goes great with penne or other short pasta with a good chewy bite. It is slightly sweet, flavored with cinnamon and mint, and just a little spicy. Ingredients: 2 packages Halloumi [see note 1] (each 1/2 lb) Olive oil, for deep frying 2 – 3 […]

Halloumi, as it is also known, is the most unique of the Cypriot delicacies. It is full fat soft cheese made of whole goat’s milk, salt and a hint of mint. Ingredients: 1 halloumi (hellim) cheese -cut into thick slices Method: Sliced halloumis can be cooked under a hot oven, grill or on charcoal until […]

In Greek: σπανάκι με σπαράγγια ογκρατέν, pronounced spah-NAH-kee meh spah-RAHG-yah oh-grah-TEN Ograten (au gratin) dishes became part of the Greek cooking experience in the early 1900s, and this combination of fresh spinach and asparagus on a bed of grated potatoes, with cream and sharp cheese is a delicious example of this type of cooking. Serve as a […]

In Greek: πιπεριές με τυρί, pronounced pee-peh-reeYES meh tee-REE This recipe is a specialty in the shadows of Mount Olympos, where it is served as a meze with a locally made spirit. Serve it as an appetizer, meze, or side dish. The recipe calls for bull’s horn (or Anaheim or Cubanelle) peppers (long and tapered, light green […]

In Greek: λαχανικά σχάρας, pronounced lah-HAH-nee-kah SKHAH-rahs A simple matter of sliding pieces of your favorite vegetables onto skewers turns into a fabulous side dish for other grilled foods (or, add more vegetables and make it a complete meal). Ingredients: For 2 skewers per person: ———- 2 medium tomatoes 1 zucchini (Italian squash) 1 yellow […]

In Greek: σταφύλια στη σχάρα, pronounced stah-FEEL-yah stih SKHAH-rah Use grapes to your preference: red with meat? white with fish? There’s no right or wrong with this quick and easy decorative (and delicious) touch to other grilled foods. Personally, I prefer the taste of the grilled red grapes, but both grill nicely. Cook Time: 8 minutes Total […]

In Greek: μελιτζάνα σχάρας, pronounced meh-leed-ZAH-nah SKHAH-rahs The taste of eggplant cooked on the grill just can’t be matched, and this recipe creates a simple and delicious bowl-shaped dish to serve as an appetizer, side dish, or main dish combined with other grilled veggies. And go on… eat the bowl. Crisp grilled eggplant skin is […]