Ivy Liacopoulou

Ivy Liacopoulou grew up in Limassol, Cyprus, a beautiful island in the eastern Mediterranean, where her passion for cooking began as a child, helping her mother in the kitchen. Ivy belongs to a new generation of home cooks who loves to experiment and create new recipes of her own. She is the author of two cookbooks and she owns and manages Cooking Classes, in Nafplio, Peloponnese.

Glyko Melitzanaki (pr. meh-lee-tzah-NAH-kee) or Vazanaki (pr. vah-zah-NAH-kee) in Cyprus, is a fruit preserve made with baby eggplants.

Today we had two reasons to celebrate. It’s my son’s birthday but it was also his graduation from the University. Although the lemon cake was made for my husband ten days ago, I didn’t have the time to prepare the post for the new cake, which is a Vanilla and Chocolate Cake, so here is …

The idea of flavouring a ryzogalo (Greek rice pudding) with lemon and krokos Kozanis (saffron) sounded perfect in my mind, so I made a twist to the classic rice pudding by adding these two flavours.

Lemon curd is a dessert spread and topping like a velvety custard, usually made with citrus fruit, zest and juice of lemons or even limes, oranges or tangerines, butter, eggs, corn flour (starch) and sugar. It can be eaten as it is, or served as a spread on bread or biscuits or as a filling for pies, tarts or cakes.

For this month’s challenge of the Royal Foodie Joust, I made Veal in Dark Beer with a Sweet and Sour Pumpkin Sauce.

This Greek roasted pork (or lamb) is stuffed with bacon, halloumi, feta, as well as other ingredients then it is wrapped in vine leaves and baked in the oven with potatoes.

Kolokythopita (pronounced koh-loh-kee-THOH-pee-tah) in Greek Κολοκυθόπιτα is a compound word from “kolokythi” (squash) and pita (pie). This Greek savory pie is made with butternut squash and fresh myzithra, a cheese from Chania, Crete.

This Ultimate Chocolate Cake is made with a chocolate sponge and a Baileys Chocolate mousse filling, topped with Chocolate ganache.

My friend, Natasha, of 5 Star Foodie Culinary Adventures, is hosting an event where she has asked us to further explore the flavours and textures of Macaroni and Cheese by deconstructing it and adapting it to our own culinary style. You still have time by the end of the month to prepare your own version …

Braised Chicken Livers with Vegetables and grapes is an easy and nutritious Greek recipe that comes together quickly, packed with many nutrients, as it contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals.”