Cyprus Cuisine - Christina Loucas

Though Cyprus is a small country, its cuisine features a large variety of dishes, probably due to the many different cultural influences affecting the island's history;as well as a substantial variation in climate around the country; from sunny beaches to snow-capped mountains. Cyprus cuisine has a Mediterranean allure, mixing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients.

Many Cypriot families still make home-made olive oil every year, and neighbours regularly exchange excess bounty of homegrown fruits and vegetables, including pomelo, grapes carobs, figs, oranges, lemons, cantaloupe, bergamot, medlars, almonds, kumquats, cactus pears, and, of course, olives.

Most Cypriot dishes are not particularly hot or spicy, though there is ample use of local herbs such as wild oregano, rosemary, mint, parsley, basil, cinnamon and coriander. Spices such as allspice, cloves, mastic and mehleb powders can be found in many sweets and baked goods.

The book features over 75 recipes, illustrated in full colour, ranging from drinks to desserts, to soups, salads, small bites, breads and pastries, pickles, dips and main courses.