In Greece they make Souvlaki by marinating chunks of meat, usually pork or lamb, in olive oil, lemon juice and oregano, then they grill it over an open fire.  This dish is easy to make at home and we show you how you can make it with a grill pan if you do not have access to a BBQ or open fire.

We love Greek Food but never seem to eat it that often.  Over dinner tonight we reminisced about how much we really enjoy it and that we only seem to eat it when we are in Hawaii or Paris – some of favorite Greek restaurants are there.

This recipe is fantastic as it brings Greece into your dining room, in under an hour.   I used fresh Meyer Lemons and oregano for the marinade;  it was incredibly aromatic while sitting out on the counter as well as when cooking.  It filled our tiny kitchen with fresh scents of citrus and grilled meat just as it is on the streets of Greece … okay, we have not been to Greece, but we have a feeling this is what it would smell like, as it does in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

Pork Souvlaki is about to become our favorite summertime grilled meals, I cannot wait to try it with lamb.  You will love it was well!

Recipe: Pork Souvlaki with Tzatziki

* adapted from Food & Wine

1 1/4 pounds trimmed pork shoulder, cut into 3-by- 1/2-inch strips or you can use lamb

1 large onion, cut through the root end into 1/2-inch wedges

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 meyer lemons squezzed, reserve the juice

1/8 cup chopped fresh oregano

2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

7 oz Greek-style whole-milk yogurt

1/2 European cucumber, seeded and finely diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Warm pita, for serving

n a medium bowl, toss the pork strips and onion wedges with the olive oil, lemon juice, chopped oregano and garlic paste. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and let stand for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the yogurt, cucumber,  and the mint.  Season the tzatziki with salt and pepper.

Heat a large cast-iron griddle or grill pan until very hot. Add the pork and onion wedges along with any marinade and cook over high heat, turning once or twice, until the pork and onion are tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer the pork and onion to plates and serve with the tzatziki, and pita.