Cooking moussaka is all Greek to me

IF you want to try Greek food then it’s a good idea to go to someone who comes from that part of the world.

And when it comes to cooking moussaka you want an expert in the kitchen.

Which means that Cypriana on Bridge Street in Worksop is the place to go.

The clue is in the name of course.

Cypriana was established 40 years ago by Greek Cypriots Angela and Charlie Kaponas, who moved to Worksop from their native Cyprus.

Moussaka was one of the first specials Angela put on the menu, and after four decades it remains one of the most popular dishes.

Ditching my packed lunch one day, I set off with a colleague to try it out for myself.

We were greeted warmly by Angela and her staff and cups of tea were brought to us while we waited.

The decor is simple and clean, with a bit of a Mediterranean feel to it.

The restaurant is a bit like a Tardis, bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.

It goes back quite a long way and feels spacious.

We were asked if we wanted our moussaka with chips, and with veg or salad.

The portions of moussaka were generous and there were plenty of chips and salad to accompany it.

At £4.50 it provides excellent value for money.

Both of us agreed that the moussaka was delicious.

And having been to Cyprus and tasted the dish there, I can say it easily rivalled anything the Mediterranean island has to offer.

For anyone who hasn’t eaten it before, moussaka is a layered casserole dish made with vegetables and meat.

Angela’s moussaka was the perfect consistency. It was firm but not tough and melted in the mouth.

After stuffing ourselves with that meal, and knowing we were going back to work, we weren’t going to have any pudding.

But when Angela told us about her Greek sweet dessert baklava, we decided we had to give it a try.

This is a rich, sweet treat made with layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.

It is so sweet that you only need a small amount to satisfy that pudding craving that sometimes hits at the end of a meal.

We took one little square each and agreed that it was deliciously light and nutty.

Angela and her staff were friendly and warm and made sure we were well looked after.

After 40 years at the heart of Worksop’s shopping centre, Cypriana looks set to carry on welcoming in hungry diners for years to come.

By Helen Johnston

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