Porkskewerswithavocadotzatzikisauce 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.

QUICK PORK SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and use as a basting sauce for pork.

BARBECUED PORK SKEWERS

Steps:

• Slice the pork shoulder in half lengthwise. Cut each piece across into thin, 1/8-inch slices.
• Transfer pork to a mixing bowl and add garlic, onion, brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Mix with your hands until thoroughly combined.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and transfer into a refrigerator for 4 hours, or up to overnight.
• Preheat an charcoal grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Weave pork slices on metal skewers, folding the longer pieces in half as you go. Slices should be pressed snugly together as you build the skewer.
• Grill skewers over the hot charcoal until browned and no longer pink, turning frequently, about 30 minutes. Brush on barbecue sauce and turn skewers several times so the sauce caramelizes, about 10 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Serve immediately.

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Just mix everything up together until it is all blended and the oil has emulsified into the yoghurt/sour cream. Taste for seasoning, and add salt if you think necessary. Put in a resealable container.
• Allow to 'sit' in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours before using to allow the flavors to come out.
• This wonderful meze (we do not think of it as a sauce here- it is a thick 'salata') is used to counterpoint rich, bbq'd meats (like souvlaki/shish kebab), but can be used in more diverse ways.
• Place a small plate full on your dinner table for people to scoop up small amounts onto their bread (preferably crisp-baked pita).
• Fry up some zucchini or eggplant slices (dredge in flour and fried in olive oil) and serve with a dollop of tzatziki on top.
• Use as a salad dressing.
• A dip for crudites.
• Note: If I have time, I often lightly salt the grated cucumber and put in a colander to drain, then squeeze out water as per usual. This eliminates even more water.