Souvlaki with tzatziki and Fassolakia Freska me Domata

Greek Souvlaki Recipe

Use pork or lamb - serving with pita bread is optional but tzatziki is a must! Prep time includes a minimum of 2 hours for marinating.

2¼ hours 2 hours prep

SERVES 4

1 1/2 lbs boneless leg of lamb or lamb shoulder or pork loin, cut into 1 inch cubes

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

coarse salt

freshly cracked black pepper

Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, onion, oregano, parsley, mint and black pepper in a bowl& mix well. Add meat, toss to coat, cover and refrigerate; marinate for a minimum of 2 hours but overnight for best results. If using wooden skewers soak them in water overnight or for at least 2 hours. Preheat the grill to medium high. Thread meat evenly onto 4 skewers& season with salt and pepper. Grill skewers 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium or cook a few minutes longer if you prefer well done (6 to 7 minutes). Serve with tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

Tzatziki Prep Time:

15 minutes

Ingredients:

16 ounces (2 cups) of thick Greek yogurt

4 to 10 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1/2 cup of diced or grated cucumber (Kirby or "English")

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Preparation:

Prepare all ingredients in advance. Combine oil and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl. Fold the yogurt in slowly, making sure it mixes completely with the oil. Add the garlic, according to taste, and the cucumber. Stir until evenly distributed. Garnish with a bit of green and serve well chilled. Yield: about 2 1/2 cups Add mint or dill: Slight variations include 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh dill and/or fresh mint. Tasty additions! Shopping Tip: The thick, full-fat yogurts available at Greek, Middle Eastern, and specialty food markets - or a commercial full-fat strained yogurt - will give the best results. You can also make your own strained yogurt using full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free commercial yogurt.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
2 pounds of fresh green beans or other long "string" bean
2 cups of tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
1 cup of olive oil
1 green pepper, thinly sliced
1 small bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup of water
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
Preparation:
Wash the beans, cut off the tips and remove the stringy piece of fiber along the seam. Rinse the beans.
In a soup pot, sauté the onions in olive oil with a wooden spoon until they turn translucent. Stir in the garlic and sauté a few minutes more. Add all the remaining ingredients and the water. Stir well, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 50 minutes or until the beans are tender. (Add more water if needed during cooking - boiling water.)