Greek Night

Oh how I love Greek food. Souvlaki, salad, and tzatziki. This continues to be a summer time fave, especially since BBQ season may be over sooner than I think, I can't help but want to get my fill. This marinade keeps chicken very tender, and all that tasty garlic creates a great aroma. I usually serve up with roasted potatoes, or rice. But I have been meaning to find a good recipe for those tasty lemon potatoes. I keep forgetting to get the recipe from a friend, who was fortunate enough to marry into this fabulous culture. I will get it, try it and post soon. OPA!

Chicken Souvlaki, Traditional Greek Salad & Tzatzki

Chicken Souvlaki

Ingredients:.

1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh or dry oregano

1 teaspoon of dry thyme

1 Tbspn olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup of yogurt

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces (or Pork)

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To prepare souvlaki, combine the first 7 ingredients in a bowl; and mix well.. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate chicken in refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning once.
Remove chicken from bowl; discard marinade. Thread the chicken onto each of 4 (8-inch) skewers.

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Cooking options: BBQ of course, 8-10 minutes. If it's dead of winter, I have made this on broiler pan in oven at 400 F.

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serves 4

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Greek Salad

I don't bother with measurements for salads, put more or less of your favorites -

Ingredients:

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Ripe tomatoes, cherry or whatever is in your garden. cut in half or bite size

Cucumber, English or farm fresh, cut in rounds

Red onion, sliced thin

kalamata olives

Feta cheese, crumbled or cubed (I use light because I am generous)

Olive oil

Dry oregano

Salt and fresh ground pepper

(some people add a little lemon juice or vinegar, I find tomatoes to be acidic enough, but sometimes like a little twist of lemon.)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients, toss and serve..

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Tzatziki

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Recipe Stolen from a beautiful food blog I stumbled across, Big, Bold, Beautiful Food, you can see more here . I am sure I will be referencing her a lot. I can't believe I am using her Tzatziki recipe when Ninette has soooo much more to offer...

Tzatziki

3-4 servings

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16 oz. container of Fage yogurt

3 cloves minced garlic

1/2 a cucumber, peeled, shredded and squeezed dry in paper towels

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

A shot of lemon or a little red wine vinegar

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Mix together above ingredients. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes so the flavors can soften and meld together.
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Image credits: souvlaki photo from Real Mom Kitchen, but her recipe is quite different; Greek salad image from Because you value your Body; Tzatziki, photo and recipe, from Big, Bold, Beautiful Food.