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Pork Souvlaki

  • Food

Hong Kong Leader Addresses UN Human Rights Council as Criticism Mounts Over Beijing’s Security Law

“We are deeply concerned by unconfirmed reports that Beijing has passed the national security law,” said British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, according to Reuters. “This would be a grave step.” He added: “Once we have seen the full legislation, we will make a further statement.” Charles Michel, president of the European Union Council, told reporters after his video summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, “We deplore the decision,” Reuters reported. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the bloc was discussing with “international partners” on potential measures in response to Beijing’s encroachment into Hong Kong’s judicial system. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kim In-chul said at a press briefing that the Moon government was “paying keen attention and watching the trend closely with…

Pork Souvlaki

Pork Souvlaki

Souvlaki (literally “skewers”) is the quintessential street food of Greece. Typically ordered by the dozen, they are highly addictive. Bill and Tony Darsinos, of Greko Greek Street Food in Nashville, Tennessee, spent years searching for the perfect domestic cut of pork to suit their tastes, finally settling on the pork collar for its mix of rich flavor, fat, and tenderness. In a pinch, you could substitute boneless pork shoulder (butt) or boneless, country-style ribs. To get the right amount of char, tenderness, and flavor, you need to grill the pork hot and fast over direct heat until just cooked through.

Serves 10 to 12

Hands-on Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 25 hours including 24 hours brining

  • 1 pork collar (4 to 6 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Using a sharp knife, butterfly the pork collar until you have a large, flat layer about 1 inch thick. Cut the meat into 1-inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper and toss everything together with your hands until evenly incorporated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours.

Open the bottom vent of a charcoal grill completely. Light a charcoal chimney starter filled with charcoal. When the coals are covered with gray ash, pour them onto the bottom grate of the grill. Adjust the vents as needed to maintain an internal temperature of 400 degrees to 450 degrees F. Coat the top grate with oil; place on the grill. (If using a gas grill, pre-heat to medium-high (400 degrees to 450 degrees F.)

Carefully thread the marinated pork onto skewers, portioning about 6 ounces for each and being careful to leave about 1/4 inch between the pieces to avoid overcrowding. Place on the grill and cook, uncovered and turning occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. If flare-ups occur, cover with a grill lid to quell flames as necessary. Serve the souvlaki with lemon wedges.

Pork Souvlaki Bill (L) and Tony Darsinos of Greko Greek Street Food in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo from the book “Serial Griller”)

Recipe excerpted from “Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection,” copyright 2020 by Matt Moore. Photography copyright 2020 by Andrea Behrends and Helene Dujardin. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.  

Focus News: Pork Souvlaki

Hong Kong Protests Continue Despite Beijing Passing National Security Law

In Hong Kong, local activists are calling on people to take to the streets on July 1 to protest against Beijing’s national security law despite a police ban on the gathering. Several local activists including Figo Chan, vice convenor of local pro-democracy group Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF); Wu Chai-wai, chairman of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party; district councilors Tsang Kin-shing and Andy Chui; and lawmaker Eddie Chu, held a press conference at noon on Tuesday. Together they said they will be the organizers of a march from Causeway Bay to the city’s Central district on Wednesday afternoon after police rejected two applications—one from CHRF and another other from Chui—to hold a rally on July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from Britain to China in 1997. CHRF, which has…