Souvlaki
While growing up in Milwaukee, there was not a whole lot of Greek food to be found. Sure, we had the common diner joints in the neighborhood (Omega) where you could get a roasted chicken, gyro, or a Greek salad, but beyond that you had to drive to the East side of town to get a really good Greek gyro. I really think that there needs something to be said about Greek food as the simple ingredients, really pays off in huge flavors. Whenever I am reminded of those flavors, I quickly turn to my pantry of ingredients to try to recreate something that is so wonderful. You have probably seen this with my homemade gyros on the grill, and as I really wanted to make the gyros this past week, I needed something quick and easy, hence souvlaki. Don’t be startled by the sound of this dish as the name souvlaki is simply meat on a skewer, or what I like to say ‘meat on a stick’, and who doesn’t love meat on a stick?. Souvlaki is basically a Greek kebob, typically made with pork or chicken.
This dish is really easy to make, and you can have some authentic Greek souvlaki served up for your next game day in no time. You friends and family will certainly be impressed by the souvlaki served on warm pita, and what is becoming my favorite condiment right now, Tzatziki Sauce.
Let’s get started.
- 2 1/2 pounds of pork shoulder, cut in 3/4 inch cubes
- 2 tsp of dried oregano
- generous pinch of cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
- Pita bread
- Chopped tomatoes (optional)
- Tzatziki Sauce (optional)
- Chopped parsley (optional)
That’s it. Simple ingredients yielding huge flavors. Begin by mixing all of the dry and wet ingredients in a bowl. Take your cubed pork and place in a large ziplock bag. Add in the marinade and massage into the pork. Seal and place the bag in the refrigerator for nearly 30-60 minutes, longer if you can.
Take about 3-4 cubes of pork and place on a skewer. Repeat the process. When cooking, you have some alternatives. Grill, or place under the broiler. Depending on the season, you can do this indoors or out, which I really like. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat. Place your skewers on the grill and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, moving your skewers accordingly.
You have options now. Serve your guests the skewers (great with beer) and have them eat the pork off of the stick, or remove the pork and place in warm pita bread with chopped tomatoes, Tzatziki sauce, and chopped parsley.
These skewers bring Greek flavors right in your very own home. No more of that family diner, or a road trip to a downtown location. Simple, fast, and fun.