cevapcici cravings: the balkan dish that's grilling global palates
Cevapcici instantly bring to mind vacations in the Balkans, where these patties are highly popular. Made from ground meat and generously seasoned, they are incredibly juicy with a strong herbal aroma. Surprisingly, the recipe is quite simple.
Anyone who has vacationed in Croatia will likely know cevapcici. This dish is very popular there, but you can also encounter it throughout the Balkans under various names. They can be enjoyed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Cevapcici are considered to be derived from the Turkish kebab, with the name "ćevap" stemming from the Turkish word "kebab".
Instead of regular cutlets, make baked minced ones. Even your mother-in-law will praise them
What kind of meat are cevapcici made from?
Cevapcici are patties made from chopped or ground beef, or a mix of beef and pork. They are quite heavily seasoned with salt, lemon pepper, coriander, paprika, garlic, and fresh herbs. Traditionally, the patties are given an elongated shape and skewered. In this form, they are grilled. At home, they can be cooked in a pan or in the oven using the grill function. They are typically served with chopped onions, yogurt, ajvar, and feta cheese. If you'd like to prepare them for dinner, they pair well with potatoes or fries. An excellent addition to them is also pita bread.
Traditional cevapcici - recipe
Ingredients:
- 200 g ground beef,
- 100 g ground pork,
- 2 cloves of garlic,
- salt and lemon pepper,
- coriander, sweet and hot paprika to taste,
- half a teaspoon of baking soda (optional),
- oil for brushing the patties.
Additionally:
- skewers.
Preparation:
- Mix the ground meat and season it with salt. Work it thoroughly and set it aside in the refrigerator overnight.
- After this time, season the meat with lemon pepper, paprika, coriander, and garlic pressed through a press (you can also add half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a few drops of lemon juice).
- Shape the meat mixture into 10 cm rolls. Brush them with oil.
- Skewer the meat and grill in a pan or bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 200°C (390°F).
