Summer in Cyprus is hot. Very. Hot. But this year it feels hotter due to the energy crisis caused by the destruction of the island’s main power plant. Things, however, are what they are and, I believe, it is for each of us to approach them with a positive attitude and make the best out of them. In my case, this means trying to add a little beauty to everyday life, and taking advantage of what we have.
We live in a apartment, so there is no garden or swimming pool where to spend our afternoons. What we do have is a small balcony which we have surrounded by a straw fence to keep the strong sun at bay, and where we can sit and relax, enjoying the sweet summer breeze when the sun is not too high. And, when weather permits it, we have lunch or dinner there too.
Last Monday, we did just that. It was not too hot (by our standards, anyway ;), so I set up a happy summery table setting and served a quick early lunch in the balcony.
I put a white tablecloth on the table, and used lime green napkins under the plates to add a little bit of colour.
I put lemmons on a glass vase to serve as centerpiece, and used a set of salt and pepper shakers that we had bought when we lived in Ivory Coast and that matched the table’s colour palette.
I served lemonade in small green bottles (that originally contained German beer!) and added grey paper straws to them for the babies. And also for me, because I like them 😉
Using baker’s twine (in Peapod and Lemondrop, from the Twinery), I wrote “eat, drink, laugh” on a piece of paper and put it on a small frame, next to the lemons, to serve as motto for the meal.
Finally, I folded yellow paper napkins on a pouch, added some ribbon and a paper circle (with Bon Appétit written in it) to dress it up a little, and placed the cutlery inside . You can download these and other tags for free from the Twinery’s blog here. All you have to do then is to print them in cardboard paper and cut them using a 2″ circle punch or just a pair of scissors)
The menu consisted of different salads, dips and a delicious lemon coconut mousse. The following recipe corresponds to one of these salads, called Tzaziki, which is traditional here in Cyprus and which, with some variations, is also very common in Serbia (where I actually discovered it and where it is called Tarator ). It is very refreshing, simple to make, and it tastes great with meat or simply with some pitta bread. At home we call it “cucumber salad”. I’ll share all other recipes in my next post!
In order to make Tarator/Tzaziki you will need: 1 cucumber, 1 clove of garlic, greek yogurt and a little bit of parsley.
The procedure couldn’t be simpler: Cut the cucumber into thin slices, and then chop them finely. Place it in a bowl. Chop a clove of garlic (or half, if you are not a very garlicky person 😉 and add it to the cucumber. Add greek yogurt (500 ml) and mix well. Chop a few parsley leaves to garnish.
This is the way I learnt to do it from my husband’s family, in Serbia. I should note, however, that here in Cyprus I learnt a different way which is equally delicious but a little bit different. In the Cypriot version they double the amount of cucumbers, garlic is optional, they generally add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and they replace parsley for dried mint. My recommendation: try both!
What’s the weather like these days where you live? How do you cope with it?
Have a lovely Wednesday and see you next week!
Mmmmm si que delicia, me encanta el tzatziki ! La decoración de la mesa te quedo super bonita! Y no puedo esperar a que publiques la receta de mousse de limon y coco. Adoro el limon. Aqui el clima, mejora por momentos a veces hasta sale el sol, y la verdad es que cuando no llueve se agradece. Cada que podemos vamos caminando al parque. Saludos !
Excellent suggestion for hot weather! Salads are always welcome and this one in particular for us in the southern hemisphere, brings a novelty touch.
As regards the table display, nice colour palette, lovely and simple details., very good photographs You show that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money in silverware , china or expensive elements , we just need a little bit of good taste.
divina esa mesa Marce! cuantos detalles simples que hacen la diferencia! las fotos están geniales. Voy a probar la receta 🙂
Hayyy Marce!
amé el Tzaziki, lo pedi bastante en grecia
se me escaparon una lagrimitas
quisiera volverla a comer
la receta griega creo que no tenia ajo ni menta, tenes alguna amiga griega para preguntarle la receta?
beso
te tenes q traer las otras recetas griegas del otro blog acá!
Love the lemons on the table! Such a simple, pretty detail! Also love the salad recipe – we have a party coming up that we are planning all sandwiches and salads. This is perfect!
Best,
Krysten
Clickable Party
Marce! me encanto la decoracion y originalidad del cartel con los hilos!! Hermoso todo!!
Gracias!
Thank you very much! 🙂
Gracias! El mousse de limón ya llega 😉
Gracias mami 🙂
La receta griega que yo tengo es la que puse en el post: 500 ml de yogurt, 2 pepinos, 2 cucharadas de aceite de oliva y sal si te gusta. La menta es opcional y el ajo tambien. El tema con las recetas griegas, al ser cocinas tradicionales, es como con las italianas: los ingredientes de base son los mismos, pero cada hogar tiene su manera particular de hacerlas. Tenes que probar hasta conseguir el sabor que añoras 🙂
Las recetas del otro blog son navideñas y serán subidas a su debido tiempo!
Gracias Ceci!
Marce!
Le escribi a Eleni y Nicolas (una pareja de ingenieros q conocimos en Oktonia)
Para saludarlos y, ya q estaba,les preguné su version de esta receta
y les pase el link de tu blog
Eleni me dijo q su receta era parecida, pero q no sabia q era Persil
Como se dice perejil en griego?
BTW, voy a seguir con ganas de tzataki un tiempo, por q no se q paso q no hay pepinos (sera q es invierno? jeje)
Pero como por acá esta semana HASTA NEVO, si, NIEVE en el litoral
Calculo q tendre q aguantar un poco mas
En el mientrastanto ya vi q en todos los supers estan vendiendo tarritos de 200Gr de yogurt Griego 😉
μαϊντανός
Asi se dice, de acuerdo al diccionario online 😉 Yo no hablo griego como para saber si la traduccion es correcta!
Lo hice con casancrem ligt, por q no consegui yogurt griego en el barrio
y quedo RIQUISIMO!
me gustó todo Marce la receta, los colores del mantel, la decoración excelente, beso
Qué bueno. Probalo con yogurt y te va a gustar aun mas!
Gracias Noe!