Chicken Souvlaki

 There are many ways to prepare this dish, and there are many similarities between Turkish and Greek dishes. I’m using my Turkish Baharat but it is also excellent with Duq’qah. It is also one of the few recipes that I use chicken breast, but thighs are excellent as well. 

Chicken Souvlaki 

(Serves 4)

4 chicken breasts, cubed

1-2 tbs Turkish Baharat or Duq’qah (or a combination of cumin, mint, pepper, cinnamon, coriander)

1 tsp salt

3-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

Good drizzle olive oil 

2-3 tbs lemon juice 

Mix all ingredients together and let marinate, in the fridge, for a few hours. 

Fry or grill until fully cooked. Enjoy with pita bread and tzatziki. 

Easy and elegant saffron tomato scallops

 Easy and elegant seared scallops with a saffron tomato sauce 

(For 2-4 people)

4-6 scallops per person, dried well and seasoned with salt and pepper 

Available at Gimli Fish 

1 onion, thinly sliced 

2-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

Butter, for sauce and searing the scallops (1 tbs for sauce, 1-2 tbs for searing)

Good pinch of saffron 

1 cup of tomato passata or crushed tomatoes 

1/4 - 1/2 cup of red wine (alternatively, orange juice, for a lighter, summery flavour)

Favourite herbs

Salt and pepper 

Dry and season the scallops and set aside until the end. 

In a small saucepan, heat saffron and butter on medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook until translucent and beginning to brown. Add remaining ingredients. 

Heat pan for the scallops to medium high heat to high heat. Add butter. Place each scallop in the pan and let sear, without turning, for one- 2 minutes, swirling the butter around.  When they have developed a nice brown crust, turn them over and repeat. 

Serve the scallops immediately over the sauce, on a plate. 

Enjoy!