Chicken Souvlaki

We just love to grill in the summertime.  

I think that MGG and I do most of our cooking on the grill.  It keeps the house cooler, and the food just tastes so darn good.  It allows me to create different marinades, experiment with different cuts of meat, and try new flavors.

This dish is just perfect for grilling.  Since Memorial Day is fast approaching this would be a great dish to add to your menu.  I recently took a class at Williams-Sonoma where we spent a day on Greek food.  This was just one of the many dishes we made.  

What's better than chicken kabobs?  They are first marinaded and then simply grilled.  Nothing fancy, it's all about the flavors.  Serve with a fresh vegetable salad and some Greek dips and you are set. We grilled them on skewers and then removed them for serving.  You can leave them on.  For our purposes they were just a little easier to serve and eat with the pita and dips when removed from the skewers.

You have to take the time to try this.  Trust me, it's that good!  You can swap the chicken for beef or lamb if you like, however the chicken is so lean and juicy it's hard to pass this up!  

Kitchen Tip:  If using wooden skewers make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.

Stay tuned for the salads and dips that go along with this main course.  I'll be posting them throughout the week.  Enjoy!

Chicken Souvlaki

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Lifestyles Series, Small Plates, by Joanne Weir (Time-Life Books, 1998)

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbs. dry white wine

1 Tbs. lemon juice

1/4 cup minced yellow onion

1 garlic clove, minced

2 bay leaves, broken or chopped into tiny pieces

1 tsp. dried oregano

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces

Lemon wedges for garnish

Flat-leaf parsley leaves for garnish

In a bowl, stir together the olive oil, wine, lemon juice, onion, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or for up to overnight.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat. If using bamboo skewers, put 6 skewers in water to cover.

Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and drain the bamboo skewers, if using. Thread the chicken pieces onto the bamboo or stainless-steel skewers, dividing the pieces evenly among them. Place the skewers on the grill rack 4 to 5 inches from the fire or place in the hot pan and grill, turning once, until the chicken is opaque throughout, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to a warmed platter and garnish with lemon wedges and parsley. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Grecian Style Steak with Lemon Pepper Potatoes

Let's go Greek

Food that is!

And, just in time for your Memorial Weekend cookout!

Why not put a little international flavors into your menu for next week.  Designing your menu around a certain region's food and flavors will put zip and tastiness in your tummy!  

I've been making quite a few Grecian inspired dishes lately.  I just finished a series of cooking classes that had a whole day dedicated to Greek or "Greek inspired" cuisine.  The food is made with the freshest ingredients.  A lot of the dishes are put together without cooking, which is perfect.  From store to table with little preparation.  Others are cooked with ingredients that you will recognize and put together simply to form iconic Greek flavors.

First up, is a wonderful steak dish accompanied by perfectly roasted potatoes.  The steaks can be made on the grill (indoor or outdoor) if you plan to get your grill on this weekend!  Or, they can be cooked simply in a skillet.  Either works fine. Choose your favorite cut of meat and start from there.  I chose filet mignons because they are lean and tender (and they are my fav...).  I also cooked them in a nice cast iron skillet on the stove.  A must have workhorse in my kitchen.  However, a nice stainless steel or non stick skillet will do in a pinch.

The side of roasted potatoes top this meal off well.  You'll love the flavors of lemon and pepper on the potatoes.  They make the usual "roasted potato" into something special.  

 All in all this is a simple dish to make for the a crowd or the family.  It's quick and easy to put together, and will only take about 30 minutes start to finish.  Don't you just love that?

I'll be bringing some other Greek dishes throughout the week, so stayed tuned.  Opa!  





Grecian Style Steak with Lemon Pepper Potatoes

Serves 2
Time:30 Minutes

1 tsp lemon pepper
2  filet mignons
1 T olive oil
2 T lemon juice
2 T crumbled feta cheese
1 T chopped kalamata olives
2/3 lb of baby golden yellow potatoes, diced
1 T olive oil
2 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp lemon zest
 
Set steaks out 30 minutes prior to cooing.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Sprinkle lemon pepper onto both sides of the steaks.

Place potatoes in a bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil, toss to coat.  Sprinkle with lemon pepper, tossing to evenly coat.  Place potatoes on a baking sheet spread out evenly.  Cook for 20 minutes stirring halfway through.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with lemon zest.  Serve along with steaks.


Meanwhile, add oil to a large skillet; over medium heat.  Allow to heat up until the oil shimmers.  Add steaks and cook 10 to 14 minutes or to desired degree of doneness, turning once. Remove from skillet and drizzle with lemon juice.  Top each steak with cheese and olives.

Veggie Gyro Salad

Boy do I have a salad for you!

Still in the grilling mode, I saw this meatless, Greek flavored salad in a favorite cookbook and just fell in love with the flavors.  It has all the flavors of a meatless, or veggie Gyro Sandwich!  Have you ever had one?  No, well you should try one right away.  They are just fabulous!

This salad is a take on that sandwich, using the flavors, but mixing them up a bit.  It has grilled vegetables, the flavors of tzaziki (cucumber, dill, and feta) and is all mixed with a wonderful grain, quinoa.  Do you know about quinoa?  It a little round grain that is full of protein and fiber.  Once cooked it turns a little curly and has a slight bite to it, sort of an al dente bite.  I've made several dishes with this hearty grain.  It's my new fad and I've made many dishes with it over the past year.  Make sure to grab a box of this and use it as you would rice or couscous.  It really takes well to additions and to dressings.

Back to the salad...like I was saying it has wonderful ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and it is dressed with a wonderful red wine vinaigrette.  The only thing missing is the flatbread or pita that holds the sandwich fillings.  Not to worry, I have that covered.  You just serve this with some grilled pita wedges so you don't miss out on that flavor!

Salads are wonderful meals during this hot season.  Great as a main course for a "meatless" dinner, or a nice lunch.  I made this and had leftovers which were just as good the next day.  So I was a happy camper to have this for my lunch at work.  If you want to make this meal with meat, I would suggest grilling a nice piece of chicken and then cubing it.  It will go great with the other salad ingredients.

I hope you give this a try.  Enjoy!

Veggie Gyro Salad

Serves 4

¾ c quinoa

3 T olive oil

1 ½ T red wine vinegar

2 tsp minced garlic

1 t Dijon mustard

Salt & pepper

½ zucchini, halved

2 pitas

½ c grape tomatoes, halved

½ c diced cucumber

¼ c diced yellow bell pepper

¼ c fresh dill fronds

¼ c crumbled feta cheese

2 T diced red onion

Preheat grill to medium-high, brushing grill pan or grate with oil.

Prepare quinoa according to package directions.

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Dijon.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Brush zucchini and pita with some of the vinaigrette.  Grill zucchini cut side down about 7 minutes, covered.  Grill pitas until toasted.  Slice zucchini halves in thin slices.

In a medium to large bowl combine tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, dill, feta, and onion.  Add quinoa, zucchini, and remaining vinaigrette, tossing to coat.  Cut pita into wedges and add to the salad.  Serve.

adapted from Cuisine Grilling

shared with:  Weekend Potluck
Full Plate Thursday

Fast & Fresh: Greek Pizza

Sometimes you just want an easy throw together meal.  

That was today for me...

So instead of calling out for a pizza I decided to make my own.  But hey, let's try a different style of pizza than my normal standby. 

Let's make a Greek Pizza!  Sounds good huh? 

Like a Gourmet pizza in a flash!

You'll love the tasty toppings on a ready-to-go dough or a pre-made crust.  Even make your own dough if you are so inclined.  But the ease of this is making it fast.  This uses the oven for only a short time, and having a tasty, satisfying meal ready when you are!

Many supermarket's sell ready to use pizza dough.  I got a whole wheat dough at "Henry's Market" (aka Sprouts) and I've seen them at Trader Joe's.  But a Boboli will do as well if you like.

So let's make a Greek Pizza!

First preheat your oven to whatever degree your dough package states.  Mine was 425 degrees.

Roll out your dough and shape it as desired.  Brush on some olive oil over the crust and bake it for 5 min.

Scatter thinly sliced, seeded Roma tomatoes all over the pizza.  Sprinkle with minced fresh Oregano, Mint leaves, and Garlic.  Make sure to leave about a 1/2' border around the pizza.

Add some Lemon zest, and crumbled Feta Cheese.  Drizzle with some more olive oil and bake until the crust is golden brown, about 10 min.

YUMMY!

Fast & Fresh!



Greek Pizza

Using a pre-made dough.  Preheat oven as directed on package.  Roll out dough.  Brush with Olive Oil.  Bake 5 min.  Leaving 1/2" border around the pizza, scatter thinly sliced, seeded Roma Tomatoes on pizza.  Sprinkle with minced, fresh Oregano, Mint leaves, and Garlic.  Add Lemon zest, and crumbled Feta Cheese.  Drizzle with more olive oil.  Bake until crust is golden brown, approx. 10 min.


Linked to:  Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Linked to:  Your recipe my kitchen
Linked to:  Tuesdays at the Table

Grilled Greek Potato Salad

Boy is it hot outside.  Is it hot where you are?

We've had 90+ degree weather for a week now...and it's a dry heat...sauna heat.

I don't know about you but when it's this hot, I don't want to cook inside the house...don't even talk to me about the oven.

So I turn to grilling for a lot of meals.  Here's one of MGG's favorite dishes.

How does a grilled potato salad sound?  Simple...yummy...delicious?
How about a "Greek" grilled potato salad?

Well get your Greek on, cause we're having some warm, tender, grilled potatoes, mixed with green beans and feta cheese, in a Greek vinaigrette...Opa!

You will love this, trust me!

First, you take a large pot and put your potatoes in it.  I used a combo of baby red and yellow potatoes...use what you like.  Add water to cover about 3-4 inches above the potatoes and bring to a boil.

After they have boiled about 3-4 min, add your green beans.  Boil for another 6-7 min.  You want the green beans tender, and the potatoes undercooked slightly.

Drain your beans, and let them cool.  Drain your potatoes and let them cool.

Cut your green beans in to halves or thirds, trimming the ends if you like.  Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise.

Warm up your grill to medium high heat.  Put oil on the grill rack so the spuds don't stick!  Place the potatoes cut side down and grill those babies until they are nice and golden.

Take them and put them in a bowl with the cut green beans.  Add some Greek Vinaigrette and toss to coat. 

Add your feta cheese crumbles, and toss again!

Opa!!!

Soooooooo good....warm, and flavorful...!

Perfect potato salad, for a side dish along chicken, burgers, steaks, hot dogs...you name it!

Grilled Greek Potato Salad

Ingredients

½ lb fresh green beans
12 baby red and yellow potatoes (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper
Canola oil, for grilling
1/3 c Greek Vinaigrette
8 ounces feta, crumbled

Directions

Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with 3-4 inches cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until a small knife inserted into the center of the potato meets with some resistance, about 3 minutes. Add the green beans to the pot as well, and cook another 5-7 min. 
Drain green beans, cool slightly and chop in halves or thirds. Set aside.  Drain potatoes.  Let cool slightly and then cut them in half lengthwise.

Heat the grill to medium heat. Toss the potatoes with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown on the cut side of the potato. 

Combine the potatoes and green beans in a bowl. Toss with the vinaigrette, taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary.  Add crumbled feta cheese, and toss again.  Serve warm.