My Big Fat Greek Supper

I wanted to do something different, so I started googling pork tenderloin recipes, and decided to have a Greek inspired menu for the night.

Cooking this dish was not only easy, but fun! Being in the kitchen is my escape from daily life, and I would consider cooking to be my hobby. I enjoy developing new flavors and putting my own twist on recipes that I come across.

I ended up making Pork Souvlaki shishkabobs with rice pilaf, homemade Tzatziki sauce for dipping, and a spinach and salt&peppered cucumber salad with Greek vinaigrette. It was a home-run! And the best part is that I had leftovers for lunch, and raw leftovers that I froze for a future meal!

What you need:

Tzatziki Sauce:

1 8oz. container plain yogurt (I used plain Oikos Greek Yogurt)
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 lemon, juiced (or 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
Salt and pepper to taste 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 cloves of garlic, peeled

Mix everything in a food processor, or blender, until creamy. Add salt and pepper as you go for desired taste. Place in a container and put into the refrigerator for an hour to allow flavors to meld together. 

Salt & Pepper Cucumber Spinach Salad:

1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon pepper
Greek Vinaigrette (you can purchase this at your local grocery store)

Peel, cut and slice your cucumber, add salt and pepper, mix well. Put into the refrigerator for an hour.  Place on bed of spinach leaves and add your Greek Vinaigrette. Voila! A good, healthy and fresh salad to accompany your Souvlaki meal.

Souvlaki: 

3/8 lemon, juiced (or 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
1 tablespoon & 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon & 1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pork tenderloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 of a yellow onion, sliced into strips
1 bell pepper, cut into squares
1 yellow squash, cut into slices (I added squash for flavor and color!)
skewers

In a large bowl, mix together your lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, oregano, and garlic. 

Add your pork and mix well. (I mixed it with my hands to ensure an even coating). 

Cut up your vegetables.

Add your vegetables to your marinating pork mix. Stir to coat.

Cover with some saran wrap, and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours, to allow the marinade to soak into the pork and vegetables. 

Once the mix is finished marinating, thread your pork, peppers, onions, and squash onto your skewers. I used smaller skewers because I was cooking mine on a grill pan. Heat your grill pan to medium-high heat, lightly oil the grate, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning your skewers often for even cooking.

 
Once your Souvlaki is finished cooking, place on a plate for 5 minutes, to let the pork rest. 

For the rice pilaf, I used a pre-seasoned rice mix that took about 15 minutes to cook. You can find this at your local grocery store. 

Plate your rice, put your Souvlaki skewers on top, and drizzle your Tzatziki sauce over the dish. Voila! Easy homemade Greek cuisine! 

Creating meals from different cultures not only adds excitement to your daily menu, but teaches you how to cook with foreign spices and techniques! :)