What Is Cypress Cuisine?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alex_Pupkin]Alex Pupkin
Cypress is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea, close to Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. Seventy percent of the island's population is of Greek origin. Cyprian food reflects an exotic blend of Middle Eastern, reek, and European culture.  The strong colours, fresh ingredients, and large variety of dishes, appeals to people from all over the world. Centuries of migration have created food which reflects a blend of many cultures.
A typical Cypress meal consists of between 15 to 25 dishes, called Meze. Meze means "all together". Two to three cheeses are presented. While feta is Greek, haloumi is a cheese unique to Cypress. Haloumi is always made from goat's milk, not surprising, given the prevalence of goats in Cypress. It is often cured in mint, is fried or grilled, and has a soft buttery texture which melts in the mouth. Anari is a hard salty goat or sheep cheese sprinkled on pasta or inside some sweets.
Common dips are humous and melintzansalata. In Cypress humous is prepared with cumin and ample tahini, a sesame seed paste. Melintzansalata is a creamy eggplant dip infused with spearmint. Talatourzi is a yogurt cucumber blend. There is less garlic than in Greek dips, allowing the subtle flavours to come forth.
Being an island, prawns and fresh fish, such as Red mallet and Maritas, are plentiful. Cooked on an open grill, the crisp outer layer preserves the soft juicy texture within. Slices of lemon top the seafood.
Afelia is pork simmered in red wine and crushed coriander. Kelftedes are pork or lamb meatballs, mixed with grated potatoes. Cypress has the beautiful potatoes, grown in red clay earth. They are moist and bright yellow inside and out. They make superb fries. Kleltiko is lamb made tender by slow cooking all day in an outdoor oven. Stifado is rabbit stewed with red wine and onions. Barbecued pork or lamb sausage made of garlic, fresh coriander, and parsley is called Sheftalia.
An example of European influence is Lountza, a smoked ham similar to that found in Italy and the former Yugoslavia.
Trahano is a soup unique to Cypress. Bulghar wheat is soaked in yogurt and salt, and dried in the hot summer sun on round woven trays. The bulghar is cooked in stock with lots of lemon. It is served in the winter to fend off colds and delight the taste buds.
Lakmaiju is a festive,Turkish food easy to eat when out on the run. Spicy tomato minced meat is wrapped in a grilled elliptical flat bread.
Desserts are plentiful. Halvah is made form toasted almonds and semolina mixed with honey and syrup, with rose water drizzled on top. Mahalibe is eaten on hot evenings, served cold and sprinkled with pistachios. Shamishi is a cheesy filo pastry dusted with sweet cinnamon and vanilla powder.
Cypress cuisine is an orgy of flavours due to a melange of historical influences.
For more information on Greek food, please visit [http://www.takistaverna.com/]Greek restaurant in Vancouver - [http://www.takistaverna.com/]Takis Taverna online.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-Cypress-Cuisine?&id=6758743] What Is Cypress Cuisine?