I’m really craving a holiday, despite spending the first four months of this year travelling around Australia, Malaysia and Singapore (I can’t help it! I’ve been well and truly bitten by the travel bug!). Since getting home in April it’s been pretty full on with work and house sitting so we’re looking forward to booking a holiday in March or April.
I definitely prefer sunshine to snow and usually opt for somewhere warmer than home. I used this feature on the Thomas Cook Airlines website for some holiday inspiration and Cyprus stood out as the perfect destination for a spring break. It’s somewhere I’ve never been but always fancied and so, to get us into the mood, I cooked up this Cypriot style lamb souvla for lunch today.
What is lamb souvla?
Souvla means to cook meat over white-hot charcoals. In Cyprus, I’ve read that it’s often done with pork, as well as lamb, and is made using large chunks of meat which are cooked slowly using a spit or large skewers. I’d love to try it! For ease at home, I’ve cut everything down in size – smaller chunks of meat and skewers mean that if the weather is bad, or you don’t have a BBQ, you can do this under the grill.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- 450 – 500g boneless lamb shoulder, diced into 3 – 4 cm chunks
- 1 tbsp good quality olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A handful fresh oregano and thyme, stripped from the stems
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt & pepper
Method:
This is a really simple marinade to prepare and I suggest leaving it for at least 2 hours to let the flavours work their magic.
- Put the lamb in a large dish and add the olive oil and lemon juice
- Pick the herbs from their stems and add them to the meat, along with the dried oregano
- Add the sliced garlic, salt and pepper and mix everything together
- Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours
If you are cooking on a BBQ, make sure your charcoal is white before you start cooking the lamb and turn it every minute or so to get that tasty charring all over. If the weather is against you, cook these under the grill turning frequently. It’ll take around 12-15 minutes to cook.
Being careful not to burn yourself, pull the lamb from the skewers and drop it into a bowl. Serve with tzatziki and black olive tapenade, toasted pittas and a village salad (black olives, feta, cucumber, wedges of tangy tomato and red onion tossed in olive oil and red wine vinegar).
If this Lamb souvla doesn’t give you a taste of Cypriot sunshine, I don’t know what will!
I love lamb souvla so much, it’s my favourite meat plus cooking over charcoals just makes it taste even better. I hate not having a trip to look forward to, even if it’s several months away, that’s OK. My much anticipated trip to Thailand is finally here so I can’t wait but I bet when I get back I’ll be looking immediately for inspiration again!
Totally agree – that bbq taste is so good and transports you right back to somewhere sunny!
We were in Cyprus about a month ago and found the food to be really delicious, including the souvla. It’s also very filling! Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe
How lovely! I’m craving a winter break at the moment – it’s chucking it down with rain here today 🙁
This recipe looks very tasty . I’ve never been to Cyprus but I am looking forward to visiting one day and I will make sure to try lamb souvla.
I would love to have this on a warm pita bread with hummus! Yum
Yes, hummus is a great shout! I actually tried to make a tahini sauce to go alongside it but my tahini was so old it’d gone off!!
I love lamb and have been looking for new ways to cook it.
I will definitely be trying this. It looks amazing. I’m so hungry now.
Cyprus sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I’ve heard so many good things about it and of course the food is meant to be fabulous. Hope you manage to get there.
I like Mediterranean skewered meats such as this lamb souvla. A great sauce and some flat bread and I am a happy girl. I wish I could make this as a weeknight dinner soon.
PS I can’t stop traveling too XD
Lucky you with all your traveling. Lamb Souvla is new to me but I like the concept. Looks yummy.
This looks and sounds very delicious! My husband would love this. I will have to make this once its warmer outside 🙂
This looks so good!! I need to make this for dinner – both my husband and I would love it!
I love lamb, but I don’t cook with it nearly enough. I love that you cook the meat immediately before serving…this looks so delicious!
I dont eat red meat…but would love to try this with chicken/turkey. Do you think it will work ?
This simple yet delicious my hubby like lambs. I would like to make it for him. Great with pita pocket make it whole wonderful meal.
This is one of my favorite meals to have. It’s so light and fresh.