Pita Stuffed Souvlaki Recipes

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.

AUTHENTIC GREEK SOUVLAKI

Steps:

• In a bowl mix fresh herbs, onion slices, olive oil, vinegar, honey, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Place meat in a large pan and add the marinade. I like to massage the meat a little with the marinade mixture. Cover with aluminum foil and let it marinate from 3-4 hours to overnight in the fridge.
• Take it out of the refrigerator 1/2 hour ahead of cooking so it can get to room temperature.
• Cut the tomatoes into thin slices, add them to a medium bowl. Add the sliced onion, and the crumbled feta cheese. Season with sea salt to taste. Sprinkle some dried oregano. Drizzle olive oil and a tsp or so of red wine vinegar.
• Mix well but gently and let it sit for at least half an hour ahead of the souvlaki assembly.
• Add 2-3 tbs of olive oil to a cast-iron grilling pan or the pan of your choice. Let it heat up almost to the point of smoke. add the meat 2-3 slices at a time. You don't want to add more because the temperature will go down and the meat will boil instead of the grill.
• Cook meat for 2-3 minutes for each side. I always do a test drive; cooking time changes depending on how thin my meat slices are.
• On the same pan, you cooked your meat, clean it lightly with a paper towel, drizzle a little olive oil and grill the pitas to warm them up. This will allow them to get some of that charred, smoked flavor.
• Take a pita bread, add two-three slices of meat, 2-3 full tablespoons of tomato & onion filling, and 2 tbs of tzatziki. Wrap it up in parchment paper just like they do in Greece and enjoy!

CHICKEN SOUVLAKI PITAS

Steps:

• Add yogurt and sour cream to a fine mesh sieve and place over bowl and leave to drain in the refrigerator for four or more hours.
• Grate the cucumber and add to another sieve and leave to drain for an hour or so. Press down to remove more water from the cucumber. If the grated strands of cucumber are long use a sharp knife to mince smaller.
• Mix drained yogurt and cucumbers with garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and dill. Combine and refrigerate for flavours to develop. Taste and adjust seasoning - you can add more lemon juice or zest if you wish. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cut chicken thighs into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Add to a plastic bag along with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, pepper, salt and oregano. Seal bag and use your hands to work marinade through chicken. Place in refrigerator to marinate 1 hour or preferably overnight.
• Thread chicken pieces onto four skewers. If you don't have metal skewers, soak bamboo skewers in water 20 minutes so they don't burn on the grill.
• Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Turn so the chicken browns evenly and doesn't burn.
• Shred romaine and add with cucumber to salad bowl. Meanwhile, cut cherry tomatoes in half. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Warm pitas on the grill or in the oven five minutes before serving.
• To serve, spread inside of pocket pita with Tzatziki sauce, followed by salad and warm grilled chicken pieces. Serve remaining Tzatziki on the side.

CHICKEN SOUVLAKI PITAS

Steps:

• Cut 3 lemons crosswise in half; squeeze juice from lemons. Transfer to a large bowl or shallow dish. Whisk in oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Add chicken; turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour. , Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Thinly slice remaining lemon. On 6 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread chicken and lemon slices. Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until chicken is no longer pink, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from kabobs; discard lemon slices. Serve chicken in pita pockets with tzatziki sauce and toppings of your choice.

SOUVLAKI ON PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Place the lamb cubes in a large mixing bowl.
• Combine all the marinade ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, and process to a puree.
• Pour the marinade over the lamb.
• Toss the meat to coat well with the marinade.
• Cover and let marinate for at least 4 hours at room temp or refrigerate overnight.
• Prepare the mayonnaise and/or tzatziki, cover and refrigerate.
• Toss the onion with the vinegar, cover, and refrigerate.
• Wrap the pitas in foil and keep warm in a preheated 350~ oven while you cook the lamb.
• Bring the lamb to room temp.
• Thread the lamb cubes onto the skewers.
• Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill.
• Place the lamb on the grill and cook, turning them frequently, until the lamb is medium rare, about 7 minutes.
• Transfer the lamb cubes to a warm platter, and remove the lamb from the skewers.
• These can also be broiled.
• Set out the pita breads, lamb, the mayonnaise and/or tzatziki, onion, lettuce, and tomatoes at the table for guests to help themselves.
• Spread some mayonnaise or tzatziki over a pita.
• Distribute a few cubes of lamb on the bread and top with onion, lettuce, and tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with a few drops of Tabasco sauce, if desired, roll up the pita, and eat the sandwich out of hand.
• If you use store-bought instead of homemade pocketless pita breads, reheat them before serving.
• To reheat,wrap them in foil in stacks of 2.
• Place the foil-wrapped pita breads in a preheated 400~ oven until they are soft, about 15 minutes.

PITA STUFFED WITH EGGS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat.
• Combine the eggs, tomato, scallions, feta, oregano, salt, and pepper and pour into the skillet.
• Cook as you would scrambled eggs, until set.
• Cut pockets in the pita breads with a serrated knife.
• Fill the breads with the egg mixture. If the pitas are large, you might want to cut them in half before filling.