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!

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 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.

AUTHENTIC PORK SOUVLAKI

Steps:

• Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for at least 1 hour.
• In a bowl, toss together pork cubes, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
• Place 5 pieces of meat on each skewer.
• Lay on a hot grill and grill slowly (no flame) continuing to brush on marinade, until meat is done.
• Serve immediately in a pita, topped with shredded salad.
• For the shredded salad, toss the green leaf lettuce, onion, tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste in a large bowl, taste and adjust seasonings.