Greek classic
For pork, souvlaki is a bright, fresh take
Easy to make and always delicious, kabobs are the perfect way to serve up a dinner hot off the grill. For a little something different, try the traditional Greek kabob pork souvlaki. In this recipe that is simpler than it sounds, a lemony marinade transforms ordinary pork tenderloin into a traditional Greek dish with a bright and fresh flavor that is truly delicious.
The classic Greek ingredients of oregano, lemon and garlic give these grilled pork kabobs their signature flavor. Even though this marinade is made with simple ingredients, it infuses loads of flavor into the meat because of the large amount of acid from the lemon juice. Typically, there is a general rule not to marinate meat with so much acid for too long, but from my experience, letting the pork marinate overnight just makes it better. If short on time, you will still get delicious results by marinating the pork for less time. That said, allow the pork to marinate at least one hour before cooking.
Kabobs make an easy weeknight meal since they can be prepared in advance and thrown on the grill when you are ready. As an added bonus, these smaller cuts of meat cook quickly. I prefer to use metal skewers when grilling kabobs because they are no fuss. If using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent the wood from burning.
Traditionally, pork souvlaki is served wrapped in pita bread and then topped with a variety of condiments such as lettuce, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce. Instead of this classic pita sandwich version, I often serve these kabobs as a main course over a bed of basmati rice with a small Greek salad and some grilled pita on the side.
Cook them on an outdoor grill or indoors on a grill pan, depending on what’s easier for you. Jennifer Chandler is the author of “Simply Salads” (Thomas Nelson, $24.99), “Simply Suppers: Easy Comfort Food Your Whole Family Will Love” (Thomas Nelson, $24.99), and “Simply Grilling” (Thomas Nelson, $24.99). She lives in East Memphis with her husband and two daughters. For more recipes and dinner time solutions, visit www.cookwithjennifer.com. Easy to make and always delicious, kabobs are the perfect way to serve up a dinner hot off the grill. For a little something different, try the traditional Greek kabob pork souvlaki.
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