Given the barren landscape of the Cycladic islands, their culinary culture has been described as frugal and simple.

Use good quality potatoes in this recipe to make sure the main ingredient shines.

You can use any hard cheese for this dish, but many stick to kefalotiri.

Serve hot as a side with meat or as a meal by itself.

Your butcher will need to cut up the lamb into chunky pieces making sure each piece has bone, meat and some fat on it.

Niki Louca’s passion for her cooking heritage and homemade food led her to change her career. Now her My Greek Kitchen cooking school teaches Greek Cypriot cookery tricks for all.

This recipe will make approximately 80-100 shamishi depending on the size.

A staple in the Cypriot household.

Recipe from My Greek Family Table by Maria Benardis.

A Greek-style dip of mashed and whipped potato spiked with garlic.