Cyprus-Forum.com

[Yuen]

So I'm new round here and managed to bring a fogou (?) back from a recent trip to Cyprus because I adore the Cypriot souvla.

Problem being I don't know how to make it

Any help?

Thanks.

[saravakos]

get the coal going...fire em up

when their whitened and cooled down a bit whack the meat on and dont burn it

keep turning the meat and voila you should be ok

[michalis5354]

Dont forget bay leaves and salt for a good taste!

[saravakos]

yeah thats right...i take it for granted that people know that already

dont forget the pastourmas too

[rotate]

Yuen, if you are not Cypriot then the great thing about souvla is that if you invite a Cypriot or two round for souvla its almost a point of honour amongst the blokes that they will cook it for you

Invest in a variable speed electric rotisserie, beats the battery ones hands down. Sprinkle a little Commanderia or Sherry on the meat as it turns, the smell drives the neighbours nuts as they salivate over the garden fence

[andri_cy]

A lot of people sprinkle the meat with beer. makes it very tender and tasty.

[Yuen]

Thanks guys.

Okay - is a shoulder the best cut? I'm gonna get a lamb shoulder cut up and cut a chicken up.

Marinade it with anything or just salt and pepper it with some oregano?

Stick it on the BBQ, cook for an hour? Two? And sprinkle Sherry on it as it turns whilst putting a few bay leaves on the coal?

[anastasiaC]

hot coal is the key
also make sure its tasty - lots of salt, pepper, oregano and we also marinate with a bit of olive oil and red wine. my husband is an expert! My mum marinates her meat with a bit of fresh orange juice - makes it soft and tender.
when its cooking we brush with lemon,oil and oregano mix - dont let it overdry.
Enjoy!!

[Natty]

You know how you say that the neighbours will be salivating over the garden fence, well it depends where you live....a couple of years ago we were making a souvla for my dads b'day, a really good souvla may I add, when we received a phone call from the guy who lives behind us tellind us to stop "BURNING LEAVES"! How can you think that a souvla cooking smells the same as burning leaves!?! He actually threatened to call the police if we didn't stop.....it was crazy! My unc was over from CY and he couldn't beleive it!!

We live next door to a couple of greek cypriots, we're actually kind of related, I think..and whenever one of the familly's are making a souva, I get so jelous, my mouth really does water!! I can smell a souvla from a mile off!!

[anastasiaC]

I too can smell souvla from a mile away - must be the cypriot nose
even my 3yr old can tell when someone is having a BBQ