Well, if you are willing to make your souvlaki the most authentic possible, I am warning you: this recipe is not for the faint-hearted. It needs a lot of time (approx 2 hours, if you are willing to make the pita bread as well) , a lot of ingredients and a lot of "meraki" ( positive creative energy ).
I hope you remember our pita bread recipe to use - find it also here
If you do not have time, you may of course skip the pita bread recipe and buy some pitas - but the result will not be the same.
LET'S GET STARTED:
GYROS PITA :
Ingredients:
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1½ lbs pork or chicken breast or beef, cut into thin
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1 tablespoon salt ( I prefer fleur-de-sel )
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1 tablespoon freshly ground peppers
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½ tablespoon sweet paprika
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½ tablespoon hot paprika
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1 pinch of cumin powder
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2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil- depending on the meat you have selected ie chicken is more dry and will need a little bit more
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1 medium onion, sliced not chopped.
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2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
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1 medium firm tomato, sliced thin ( if the tomato is very mature, skip it!)
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8 pitas
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The Grandpa's Tzatziki ( check recipe here)
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Some French fries - if you wish
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8 pieces of cooking paper to wrap the souvlaki
Instructions:
1. Mix the salt with the peppers, the paprika and the cumin and add them to the meat, toss to combine, and let marinate for at least 1 hour.
2. Heat very well a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add one or two spoons of olive oil, which will start to smoke.
3. Add the meat strips and cook until they are golder brown .
4. Add another spoon of olive oil to keep them tender and a sprinkle with some of the seasoning mix you have prepared.
5. Remove and put into a warmed dish.
6. Put the pitas in the skillet and warm them well - I prefer to remove them a little bit before they turn crunchy.
7. Make sure your cooking papers are ready and add one pita on each of them, then add the meat, the tzatziki, the tomato, the onion, the french fries and wrap. Don't forget to close the paper well from the bottom. Sprinkle with the dill and with paprika sweet or hot.
Serve immediately.
ENJOY with LOVE
Katsikaki ( aka Baby Goat )