The Famous Greek Souvlaki ( Skewers & Pita )

Sometimes, it doesn't matter where you truly are, your mind can travel not only with memories of pictures, but also through smells and tastes. 

This recipe is quite simple, but you may always make it even better and a little bit more complicated, by prepareing your own pita bread ( find the recipe here) . 

Shall we start ? 

SOUVLAKI PITA:

Ingredients: 

• 6 Wooden Skewers, 8-inches long
• 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, 1 1/2-inch cubes or chicken breast sliced in cubes
• 150ml beer 
• 1 sliced tomato for the marinade
• 1 tablespoon salt ( I prefer fleur-de-sel ) 
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground peppers
• ½ tablespoon sweet paprika
• ½ tablespoon hot paprika
• 1 pinch of cumin powder
• 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil- depending on the meat you have selected ie chicken is more dry and will need a little bit more 
• 1 medium onion, sliced not chopped.
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
• 1 medium firm tomato, sliced thin ( if the tomato is very mature, skip it!)
• 6 pitas (check recipe here ) 
• The Grandpa's Tzatziki ( check recipe here) 
• 8 pieces of cooking paper to wrap the souvlaki

Instructions:

1. Mix the salt with the peppers, the paprika and the cumin.

2. Put the meat in a deep glass dish, soak it with the beer, cover it with the tomato and sprinkle it with a lot of the seasoning you have prepared. Marinade for 1 hour at least, if you are dealing with chicken and 3 hours at least (even better if you leave it overnight) if dealing with pork. 

3. Pinch the meat with the skewers and prepare the souvlaki. 

4. 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. Lower the heat.

5. Add the meat and slow cook while brushing with the rest of the marinade. When ready, add another spoon of olive oil to keep them tender and a sprinkle with some of the seasoning mix you have prepared. 

6. Remove and put into a very well warmed dish.

7. Put the pitas in the skillet and warm them well - I prefer to remove them a little bit before they turn crunchy.

8. Make sure your cooking papers are ready and add one pita on each of them, then add the souvlaki- you roll the pita around and remove the wooden stick if you wish it wrapped, the tzatziki, the tomato, the onion 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  and Enjoy !!!

Love, 

Katsikaki ( aka Baby Goat )