Cevapcici
Ćevapčići, pronounced tchevapchichi, were during the second half of 20th century considered to be main fast food meal, besides pizza, throughout the parts of southern Europe, before large international fast food chains, together with democracy, had entered new markets in the 1990s.
History
Prior to the 20th century and WWI, for centuries Ottoman empire, modern-day Turkey, was stretching from the Middle East (map) to, at times, all the way to the outskirts of Vienna – Europe (map), and obviously had influenced for centuries cultural, traditional and religious life, as well as culinary dishes. That may be the reason why ćevapčići are especially similar to the world over known kebab. As kebab itself, ćevapčići are prepared in many different ways that may differ from country to country, region to region, even city to city.
Recipe
I’m sharing my favorite meat mix for ćevapčići that, once grilled on a BBQ, will make your family and friends ask for more.
Ingredients
- 1kg (2 lb) of ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon of red paprika
- few cloves of chopped garlic
- 1-2 Tablespoons of oil
- (optional) 2 Tablespoons of chopped onions
- (optional) add an egg
- (optional) add ground lamb to the meat mix
Photo Gallery
Preparation
- Into a large mixing bowl add the meat and all of the ingredients.
- Mix well all together.
- Make thumb size sausage shaped ćevapčići.
- Place them on a hot surface on your BBQ, flip them until done.
Serving
Ćevapčići are traditionally served with chopped onions and white bread in the restaurants while on “fast food” stands with type of a tick pita bread called lepinja. Some may serve them with a vegetable spread called Ajvar, even sour cream or horse radish.
As an alternative an Italian white bread named Ciabatta could be used since it resembles original type of a pita bread.
Suggestion – Homemade Bread
Cevapcici perfectly charred with a crispy, caramelized crust, still glistening with juices that drip served over a slice of steaming homemade bread with side of raw onions sprinkled with a pinch of salt and olive oil could definitely be an alternative for your backyard event around the BBQ.
Combining flour with ingredients, mixing them together, then kneading the dough, waiting for it to raise, kneading it again, shaping it and baking is a process that is greatly awarded once golden-brown loaf with a soft, airy interior, warm to touch is served. Try homemade white bread recipe…