Indulge in the flavors of Croatia with this authentic Cevapi recipe. These tasty and juicy minced meat sausages are packed with traditional Balkan spices and are perfect for grilling. Serve them with warm pita bread, onion, and ajvar sauce for a truly satisfying meal. With a preparing time of just 30 minutes, you can easily make this popular Balkan dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup sparkling water
- Pita bread, for serving
- Chopped onion, for serving
- Ajvar sauce, for serving
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, paprika, salt, black pepper, baking soda, and sparkling water.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- After 1 hour, preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Divide the meat mixture into small portions and shape them into finger-shaped sausages, about 3-4 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the sausages on the preheated grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and cooked through.
- Remove the cevapi from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Serve the cevapi hot with warm pita bread, chopped onion, and ajvar sauce.
- Enjoy the delicious flavors of Croatia!
Interesting Facts
Cevapi is a popular street food in Croatia and the Balkan region.
Traditionally, cevapi is made with a combination of beef, lamb, and pork, but this recipe uses a mixture of ground beef and ground lamb for a flavorful and leaner version.
Ajvar sauce is a traditional Balkan condiment made from roasted red peppers and eggplant. It adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the cevapi.