Akrotiri Cypriot Pork Souvlaki With Tzatziki Recipes

PORK SOUVLAKI (SKEWERS) WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the pork souvlaki (skewers), cut the pork into 2 cm pieces and place them in a large bowl, along with all the marinade ingredients. Use your hands to mix really well, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 20 minutes.
• In the meantime prepare the tzatziki sauce for the pork souvlaki. Pour into a food processor the olive oil and 2 cloves of garlic; blend until the garlic is diluted (don't leave any large pieces of garlic). Into a large bowl, grate the cucumber, season with salt and pepper and leave it aside for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber into a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of most of the water. Into a bowl, add the cucumber, the blended garlic and oil, the yogurt, 1-2 tbsps of chopped dill, 1-2 of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and mix. Tore in the fridge and serve cold.
• Cut the wooden skewers to fit your griddle pan and soak them in water for 10 minutes. (This will prevent them from burning.) Thread the pieces of pork, comfortably, on the skewers.
• Preheat a grill or griddle pan on a high heat. Cook the pork skewers for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely coloured and cooked through.
• While your pork is cooking, prepare the pita breads. Preheat the oven to 250C. Use a cooking brush to oil the pita breads on both sides and season with salt and oregano. Place a large oven tray (upside down) at the bottom of the oven and place the pita breads on top of the tray. Bake for 1-2 minutes.
• To serve the pork souvlaki (skewers), slice 2 red onions and place on a platter; top with the pork skewers, drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Serve while still warm with some pita breads and tzatziki sauce or wrap them up like a sandwich, adding some tzatziki, sliced onions and tomatoes. Enjoy!

PORK SOUVLAKI WITH RADISH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Combine the pork, red onion, bell pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a large (1-gallon) plastic storage bag. Press out the air, seal, and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
• Preheat one very large (14-inch) or two medium (10-inch) dry cast-iron skillets over high heat for 3 minutes. Add the pork and vegetables, including the marinade, spread out, and cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Continue to cook over high heat for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is cooked through but still slightly pink in the middle. Don't overcook the pork or it will be dry!
• Place 1 warmed pita on each plate. Spoon the pork and vegetables on one half of the pita and place 2 rounded tablespoons of Radish Tzatziki on the other half. Sprinkle with mint, lemon juice, and salt and serve hot.
• Grate the radishes on a box grater. Place the radishes in a paper towel and squeeze out the liquid. In a medium bowl, combine the radishes, garlic, yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, scallions, mint, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 12 hours.

HOMEMADE GREEK PORK GYROS SOUVLAKI RECIPE

Steps:

• To prepare this souvlaki recipe start by preparing the pork gyros. Mix into a large bowl the tenderloin (cut into strips), the garlic, the red onion, 3-4 tbsp of olive oil, 1-2 tbsp of red wine vinegar, some thyme, some rosemary, and mix with your hands. Squeeze the ingredients together, so that all the flavours blend and add 1/2 tbsp of honey. Wrap the bowl and put it into the fridge. Leave the marinade in the fridge for at least 2 hours, before using it (ideally leave it over night).
• In a (very hot) large non-sticking pan, add the tenderloin along with the ingredients of the marinade, and sauté for 1 minute on each side, without stirring, until the meat is nicely coloured, crispy and tender inside.
• To prepare the tzatziki sauce for the pork gyros, pour in a food processor the olive oil and garlic and blend until the garlic is diluted (don't leave any large pieces of garlic). Into a large bowl, grate the cucumber, season with salt and pepper and leave it aside for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber into a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of most of the water. Into a bowl, add the cucumber, the blended garlic and oil, the yogurt, 1-2 of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and mix. (This recipe is for 5-6 servings. Store in the fridge and always serve cold.)
• Use a cooking brush to oil the pita breads on both sides and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Place a large pan (upside down) at the bottom of the oven, place the pita breads on top, and bake in preheated oven at 250C for about 1 minute.
• Pork gyros is usually served wrapped, like a sandwich. To serve, spread some tzatziki sauce on the pita breads and top with the pork gyros, some slices of red onion, some sliced tomato and wrap.
• For an easier version, you can substitute the tzatziki sauce with some fresh yogurt or some mustard and mayonnaise sauce.

AKROTIRI: CYPRIOT PORK SOUVLAKI WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano together in a large bowl. Add the cubed pork and toss until coated. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
• Thread the pork onto skewers (you can use metal or soaked wooden ones). Cook over hot coals or under the broiler, turning frequently, until nicely blackened but not overcooked.
• Meanwhile, mix the tzatziki ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Add the pork to hot pita bread and fold. Top with tomato, onion, cucumber and shredded lettuce. Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons tzatziki to the top of each serving.

PORK SOUVLAKI

Steps:

• Trim and cut pork into 1 inch cubes.
• In large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
• Add pork and stir to coat.
• Marinate for 10 minutes (make ahead: cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours).
• evenly thread pork onto six 8 inch skewers; place on foil lined baking sheet.
• Brush with marinade.
• Broil 6 inches away from heat, turning halfway through, until just a hint of pink remains inside, about 12 minutes.
• Spread tzatziki over each pita.
• Remove pork from skewers and place on pitas; fold over.