Ivy on Απριλίου 21st, 2010

In Cyprus fakes moudzentra (pronounced fakhés) is a staple lentil dish which is cooked with brown lentils and rice and then caramelized onions, called «tiganissi» are mixed in.  The only spices used are salt and pepper, yet this very simple vegan dish is very healthy and delicious.  The other way we make this dish is [...]

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Continue reading about Kritharaki me Fakes kai Pasto (Orzo with Lentils and Pasto)

Ivy on Απριλίου 30th, 2009

When I saw this recipe at Choosy Beggars, I knew I would like it, since halloumi is a cheese indigenous to Cyprus, where I come from and which I adore and anything with halloumi in it  would definitely be great.
Halloumi is made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep milk, and it has a high [...]

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Continue reading about Halloumi-Graviera Pull-aparts

Ivy on Απριλίου 3rd, 2009

Kifylla is another Cypriot street food which is not widely known.   It’s a sweet bread, filled with raisins and glazed with sugar on top and it used to be sold in the central streets,  in wheeled carts.  It’s a very healthy snack and perfect for breakfast.
You can either use butter or margarine but as [...]

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Continue reading about Kifylla: Cypriot Cinnamon and Raisin Bread Rolls

Ivy on Δεκεμβρίου 27th, 2008

I suppose most of you know how to brine a turkey but for me this was the first time.   I decided to try it this year and it is a fact that it produces a great tasting turkey which is tender and juicier.
I am glad I decided to brine it this year as I do [...]

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Ivy on Δεκεμβρίου 14th, 2008

Bombari is a Cypriot traditional recipe which resembles like sausage but it is actually a cooked meal. My mother used to make this and we loved it.   Although I did not have a recipe for this, however, I could remember the way she used to make it and I tried to recreate it. I [...]

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Ivy on Νοεμβρίου 3rd, 2008

Saganotyri
Saganaki is one of the best Greek mezedes. By now I am sure that you all, my friends, know what mezes (plural mezedes) is.
For other readers who are new to this blog, mezes is an appetizer served with wine, ouzo or tsikoudia.
There is a lot of false information given on the [...]

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Ivy on Οκτωβρίου 23rd, 2008

It’s not the kind of thing we think of every day-eating roses, that is. Yet, the noble rose has had a place in our kitchen for eons, tantalizing, seducing, intoxicating people more than any other flower. Roses, which were used as a seasoning, were sold by the roadside in fourth-century BC Athens. In ancient Greece, [...]

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Continue reading about Mahalebi with Rose Cordial and caramelized pistachios

Ivy on Σεπτεμβρίου 22nd, 2008

Afelia is a Cypriot dish with pork which is marinated with red wine and coriander seeds.  My tweak to the traditional recipe is that I added more spices to it and added some mushrooms as well which made it quite unique and I served it with pilafi pourgouri, a bulgur pilaf.
Bulgur known as πλιγούρι, pligoúri, [...]

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Continue reading about Afelia with mushrooms and bulgur pilaf with vermicelli

Ivy on Σεπτεμβρίου 20th, 2008

Like bulgur pilaf, in Cyprus we make rice pilaf with vermicelli pasta. We usually add tomatoes in the pilaf as well, just like the bulgur pilaf. The vegetables are my addition to this recipe and you can add whatever boiled or steamed vegetables you like. I did not add tomatoes but used [...]

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Continue reading about Cypriot Rice Pilaf with vegetables and vermicelli

Ivy on Αυγούστου 28th, 2008

This Middle Eastern Dip known as hoummous, has passed to the Cypriot cuisine as hoummoi.
It is made of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon and olive oil and is one of the many mezedes they will serve you going to any taverna in Cyprus. They start bringing plates after plates, after plates, after [...]

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Continue reading about Hoummoi or Hoummous