Tasty Grilled Pork Souvlaki

The Greeks have a way of blending spices and herbs to create a dish that is greater than the sum of its parts. This pork souvlaki is a great example of how, if you choose your ingredients carefully, you do not need too many items to create an unbelievable dish.

If you don't have a grill, or simply just don't feel like firing it up, you can cook these under the broiler in your oven. You won't get as good of a crust, or that delicious subtle smokiness the grill imparts, but, with all the flavor in the marinade, the dish will still come out great.

Tasty Grilled Pork Souvlaki
Ingredients You Will Need:
2 pounds pork tenderloin
¼ cup olive oil
⅛ teaspoon ground clove
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
5 sprigs Greek oregano, leaves stripped and chopped
3 sprigs each thyme and rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the pork into one-inch cubes. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a big bowl, and add the pork. Marinate 4 to 8 hours. Thread the pork onto skewers, and turn your gas grill to high, or pile the coals to one side of your charcoal grill. Grill the skewers until the pork is golden and just barely cooked through, about 12 minutes total. Serve with tzatziki (recipe follows), roasted garlic hummus (recipe follows) and pita bread.

Tzatziki
Ingredients You Will Need:
2 cups thick Greek-style yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ lemon, juiced
½ cup diced English cucumber
3 sprigs mint, leaves removed and roughly chopped

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, and chill for at least half an hour.

Roasted Garlic Hummus
Ingredients You Will Need:
2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 head garlic, roasted
½ cup tahini paste
½ lemon, juiced
¼ to ½ cup olive oil

Mix all the ingredients except for the olive oil in a food processor. Puree into a paste. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. When the puree is smooth, rich and shiny, you've added enough oil. Serve chilled or at room temperature.