Souvlaki

Ingredients

1 pork loin - silver skin removed and cut into 1.5 inch cubes

1/2 cup red wine

1 tbsp dried oregano 

2-3 stalks fresh oregano 

2 cloves garlic crushed

juice of one lemon

olive oil 

black pepper

1 small onion - peeled and halved

Method

1. place all ingredients in a freezer bag and place in the refrigerator to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour. 4-6 hours is best.

2. once marinated, skewer the meat and refrigerate until ready to barbecue.

3. 20 minutes before dinner time, season the souvlaki with salt. barbecue skewers until cooked through and slighty charred on the outside. 

NOTE: if you're unsure about whether or not your souvlaki is cooked through, just cut one cube open and take a look. pork should be cooked through with no pink spots and juices should run clear.

Tzatziki

Ingredients

1.5 cups greek yogurt 

3 tbps olive oil

2 cloves garlic - finely minced 

1/4 english cucumber - peeled, seeded and minced

3 tbsp dill - minced

juice of one lemon

salt

pepper

Method

1. combine all ingredients in a bowl and adjust seasoning to your taste. refrigerate as long as possible to allow flavours to marry. 

Marinated Grilled Eggplant and Peppers

Ingredients

1 eggplant - sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

2-3 red peppers - halved and seeded

4-5 cloves garlic - minced

2 tbsp fresh oregano - chopped

3-4 tbsp olive oil

salt

pepper

juice and zest of one lemon

Method

1. in a large bowl or baking dish, combine garlic, oregano, oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and lemon zest

2. add vegetables and toss, ensuring all sides are coated with marinade

3. marinate for 25 minutes on the counter top

4. grill until cooked through and slightly charred. set aside until you're ready to eat

My Greek Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

1 cup long grain rice - washed thoroughly

1/4 tsp saffron

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic - minced

1 shallot - minced

juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 and 3/4 cups water or chicken stock

1 tbsp chicken stock or water in a small bowl

juice of 1 lemon (or more if you prefer)

salt and pepper

Method

1. heat olive oil in rice pot over high heat and add onion and garlic. season with a pinch of salt and sautée until onion is translucent.

2. add saffron threads to your small bowl of water or chicken stock. stir and set aside.

2. add washed rice, butter, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper, saffron threads and liquid, water or chicken stock.

3. bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. cover and cook 20 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

4. before serving, fluff rice with a fork.

To assemble this dish, pile everything up into a large bowl or plate with a spoonful of tzatziki in the middle. I like to garnish with some chopped cherry tomatoes (tossed with red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt) kalamata olives, feta, grilled pita (brushed with olive oil and herbs) and chopped dill. Put on the football game and eat this on the sofa. There's no other way.