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lamb tava and potatoes in a baking dish ready to be placed in the oven

Lamb Tava Recipe (Cypriot Style Baked With Potatoes)

Slow-cooked lamb tava is a traditional Cypriot dish with fall-apart tender meat and potatoes baked in the oven. So easy and full of flavour!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cypriot, Greek
Servings 6
Calories 809 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 kg Lamb shoulder cut into chunks
  • 4 Potatoes peeled & quartered
  • 2 Onions peeled & quartered
  • 1 Whole garlic cleaned
  • 1 cup Olive oil
  • 37.5 grams Salt
  • 7.5 grams Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 4 Tomatoes blended

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Dish: Place the lamb shoulder into your baking dish along with the potatoes, onions, and cleaned garlic cloves.
  • Season and Coat: Pour in the olive oil, then gradually add the salt, pepper, cinnamon, and cumin while mixing to ensure the lamb and vegetables are evenly coated with the seasonings.
  • Add the Tomatoes: Blend the tomatoes until smooth and pour them over the lamb and vegetables. Mix again to distribute the tomato sauce evenly throughout the dish.
  • Cover the Dish: Cover the baking dish with a layer of wet parchment paper (soaked and wrung out) to prevent it from touching the foil. Tightly seal with aluminium foil to retain moisture and steam.
  • Bake: Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan-forced) and bake for 4 hours (see notes below).
  • Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or your favourite sides.

Video

Notes

  1. Preparing Ahead: Ensure the dish reaches room temperature before placing it in the oven. Otherwise, the cooking time may need to be extended by an additional 30 minutes (4.5 hours total).
  2. Additional Browning: If desired, uncover the dish after baking and return it to the oven for an additional 15 minutes for more colour.
  3. Tava Meaning & Dish Size: The word "Tava" refers to the traditional clay dish used in Cyprus to bake this recipe. While a traditional Tava adds an authentic touch, a heavy cast iron or large roasting pan works just as well. I use a 39cm x 31cm large roasting pan for this recipe.
  4. Lamb Shoulder: Lamb shoulder is perfect for slow cooking due to its high-fat content, which keeps the meat tender and flavourful. For the best results, ask your butcher for fist-sized chunks with the bone in to enhance the flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 809kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 57gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 2619mgPotassium: 1626mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 699IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 7mg
Keyword cypriot tava, lamb tava, tava lamb
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