*Note: This is so simple. It’s a very typical Cypriot all-in-one meal called tava – you just need the time to prepare the lamb and vegetables, then you can fling it in the oven, go out for a (Greek) coffee and come home to a ready meal. You could use lamb chops and leave them whole instead of cutting them into chunks, which makes it even simpler. And it doesn’t need much by way of accompaniments – perhaps a salad or some simply sautéed green vegetables. Serves 6.
Ingredients:
2 red onions, roughly chopped
1.2 kg potatoes, cut into large chunks
1 kg lamb, cut into chunks
4 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
3 heaped teaspoons cumin seeds
125 ml olive oil
4-5 ripe tomatoes, cut into thick slices
50 g butter
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Put the onion, potatoes and lamb in a 5 litre casserole dish or a deep baking dish.
2. Season with salt and pepper. Add the parsley, cumin seeds and olive oil and mix through very well with your hands.
3. Put the tomato slices on top in a single layer and season lightly with salt. Dot the butter over the top and pour about 125 ml of water around the sides of the dish.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 2 hours, tilting the dish from side to side a couple of times and spooning some of the pan juices over the top. The lamb should be very tender and the potatoes soft.
6. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F/Gas 6) and cook for another 45 minutes or so, turning the lamb halfway through, or until the meat and potatoes are a little browned and the liquid has reduced.
7. Serve hot or at room temperature.