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A foukou is a type of charcoal grill used in Greek and Cypriot cuisine. It consists of a steel pan with slots for skewers or a grill, and is typically used to cook meat dishes outdoors, giving food a smoky flavor. Some foukous have advanced features like wheels or motors. It is commonly used to prepare lamb, pork, and chicken, with souvlaki being the most popular dish.
A foukou is a type of charcoal grill that figures centrally in the cuisines of Greece and the neighboring country of Cyprus. It usually consists of a steel pan that is placed on legs and has slots into which skewers, a skewer or a grill can be placed during cooking. Traditionally, a foukou is used in the preparation of various meat dishes, such as souvlaki.
In essence, a foukou is a charcoal grill, and in some ways, preparing food on a foukou is similar to cooking it on a hibachi or other type of charcoal grill familiar to those in countries like the United States and Canada. The charcoal used in this type of grill gives dishes a smoky flavor common to many barbecued foods. Also, as with most other grills, cooking up foukous is usually done outdoors. For cooks in the warm Mediterranean climate where this grill was developed, the fact that it can be used outdoors means that meals can be prepared without additionally heating the home, as an indoor oven tends to do.
Like most charcoal grills, a foukou consists of a steel pan into which the charcoal is placed and which is placed on legs that hold it upright and elevate it to about waist level. The main feature that distinguishes this type of grill from other charcoal grills is that the upper edge of its pan has a number of slots that can be fitted with skewers, a skewer or a grate. These skewers can be threaded with small pieces of raw meat and vegetables, while a skewer typically accommodates large portions of meat, such as whole chicken or a leg of lamb. If cooking with a grill, the food can simply be placed on the grill surface and turned as needed.
Many foukous are very simple in design, comprising just a fluted charcoal pan, legs, and cooking appliances such as skewers. Some fabulous ones boast more advanced features. For example, some may have wheels and brakes that allow them to be moved around easily and fixed in place. Others feature small motors that automatically rotate the skewer or skewers as they cook.
Theoretically, a foukou can be used to cook virtually any type of meat, fish or vegetable. In Greece and Cyprus, however, it is more commonly used to prepare lamb, pork and chicken. Souvlaki, which consists of cured chunks of meat that are cooked on skewers and served with pita bread, salads, and dipping sauces, is perhaps the dish most widely associated with foukou.
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