Cyprus recipes: A Taste of Cyprus for Valentine’s Day
cyprus recipes — Cypress recipes are brought to life by Loulla Astin, perfect for a romantic Valentine’s feast. With a blend of elegance and flavour, these dishes will impress your loved one and add a touch of Mediterranean charm to your dinner table. The meal features three exquisite courses: a delectable starter of Asparagus Wrapped in Parma Ham, a sumptuous Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb as the main, and a delightful Crème Brûlée with Rosewater for dessert.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Elegant Starter: Asparagus Wrapped in Parma Ham
This simple yet elegant starter is a delightful combination of tender asparagus and delicate Parma ham. Roasted to perfection, it is served with a creamy tahini and yoghurt dressing that elevates the dish.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Ingredients
- 500g asparagus
- 12 slices Parma ham
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the dressing:
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 3 tbsp yoghurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 3 tbsp water (or more, as needed)
- White and black sesame seeds for garnish
Preparation Steps
- To prepare the dressing, blend the garlic and parsley until finely chopped. Add tahini, yoghurt, olive oil, honey, lemon juice and zest, then blend until smooth. Adjust consistency with water and season with salt and pepper.
- For the asparagus, snap off the woody ends and preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Wrap six bundles of asparagus with two slices of Parma ham, place on a non-stick baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season. Roast for approximately 12 minutes until tender and lightly crisp.
- Serve warm, drizzled with the tahini dressing and garnished with sesame seeds.
Centrepiece Delight: Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
This main course is a true showstopper, ideal for a romantic dinner. The Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb is juicy, tender, and bursting with flavour, making it the perfect dish for sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 × 8-bone French-trimmed racks of lamb
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic
- A handful of parsley (or herbs of your choice)
- 50g breadcrumbs
- 50g Parmesan (grated)
- Dijon or wholegrain mustard
- For the jus:
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups beef or chicken stock
- 1 shallot (finely diced)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 25g butter (cubed)
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Score the lamb fat lightly and season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a hot cast-iron pan, sear the lamb for about 3 minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to a baking tray and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- In a food processor, combine garlic, parsley, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and olive oil. Brush the lamb with mustard and coat with the herb mixture.
- Roast in the oven for approximately 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (medium rare). Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into individual chops.
- For the jus, sauté shallots, add balsamic vinegar and reduce, then add red wine and stock. Simmer until thickened, strain, and whisk in butter before serving.
Decadent Dessert: Crème Brûlée with Rosewater
This elegant dessert is a classic French custard, known for its silky texture and crisp caramel top. Loulla adds a unique twist with rosewater, making it a fragrant end to the meal.
Ingredients
- 570ml double cream
- 5-6 egg yolks
- 50g caster sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour
- A few drops of vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp rosewater
- 6 tbsp caster or icing sugar (for topping)
Preparation Steps
- Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornflour until smooth. Heat the cream until just boiling, then gradually whisk it into the egg mixture.
- Place the mixture over simmering water and stir until thickened. Stir in vanilla and rosewater, then divide into ramekins and bake in a water bath at 170°C for about 30 minutes until softly set.
- Once cooled, chill the ramekins. Before serving, sprinkle sugar on top and caramelise using a blowtorch or under a hot grill until golden and crisp.
Bringing It All Together
Loulla Astin’s Cyprus recipes are not only a celebration of flavours but also a beautiful way to create memorable moments with loved ones. Whether it is the elegant starter, the succulent main course, or the indulgent dessert, each dish tells a story of tradition and love. For more recipes and culinary inspiration, explore Loulla’s book, My Kosmos My Kitchen, available through major retailers.
