The Unofficial World Cup of Food 2010 - Greece

The group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2010 begins to conclude today and for the next four days, four teams each day will be eliminated from the tournament and make the journey home in disappointment. I am happy to say, however, that this does not apply to the Unofficial World Cup of Food 2010 and we are going to be here for what is nearly the three full weeks which remain of the tournament. Today on the Unofficial World Cup of Food 2010 it is the turn of Greece to feature and Helium.com's Internet Channel Manager, Rena Sandou, favours us with a traditional dish from her native land.

Mediterranean food as a whole is of course renowned for its fresh, healthy properties and attractive, colourful presentation. This Souvlaki with Pita Bread which Rena has devised for us is a perfect example of such fine cuisine.

As Greece prepares for what is a huge challenge tonight in that they are required to defeat the might of Argentina to progress in the FIFA World Cup, her players are likely to require every bit of nourishment and goodness their national cuisine can provide...



Souvlaki with Pita Bread

Greeks have a unique, Greek way, of celebrating big sporting events! And Mundial is definitely one of them! By combining tasty and colorful ingredients and good Greek mood, we know how to live the special moments of the national football team and enjoy traditional flavors!

Souvlaki with pitta is a famous, traditional dish, highly appreciated by millions of tourists that visit Greece during summer season each year. There is no doubt that Greek cuisine is ranked among the best in the world and souvlaki has become one of most famous words around the globe!

If you don’t have the chance to visit Greece and taste souvlaki in a traditional taverna on a beautiful Greek island, while enjoying the view of crystal clear waters and pure white scenery, you can always taste souvlaki at home.

Here are the simple steps on how to prepare souvlaki at home (wherever that is!):

Ingredients

* 2lb pork cut in 1 inch cubes
* 2-3 potatoes
* 2 tomatoes
* 2 onions
* 6 pita bread
* Mustard, ketchup and/or tzatziki
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* Lemon juice
* 6 wooden skewers



Preparation

- In a large bowl, mix together pork, olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir until all ingredients, blend together. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

- Remove meat from the refrigerator at least 45 minutes before cooking. Put 5-6 pork cubes in a wooden skewer. Do the same with the rest skewers until there is no meat left.

- Cook over a barbeque, gas or oven grill. Turn souvlaki regularly for even cooking. Keep in mind that pork meat is tender and does not require too much cooking time; 10-15 minutes will be enough!

- While cooking meat, put pita breads on the grill rank and cook until they become crunchy. Pita breads need only a couple of minutes!

- In the meantime, cook french fries to add them later in your souvlaki.

- When all souvlaki are cooked, place them on a cutting board and sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano and lemon juice. This is not a required step and it is all up to personal taste!

- Take a pita bread and put the skewer in the middle of it. Fold it, hold the pita tightly and remove the skewer from the meat. Add mustard and ketchup (if you wish), tzatziki, french fries, tomatoes cut in slices and onions.

Serve with a cold glass of beer and enjoy! Bon appetit!