Traditional Bosnian Cevapi Recipe
Preparation time: 15 minutes + min. 1 hour marinating
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 500g ground beef (20% fat)
- 500g ground lamb
- 5-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon sparkling water (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the ground beef and lamb in a large bowl. Mix the meats together using your hands to ensure they are well blended.
- Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, paprika, and baking soda to the meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. If you find the mixture a bit dry, add a tablespoon of sparkling water to give it a juicier texture.
- Cover the mixture and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or ideally overnight.
- Once marinated, take the meat out of the refrigerator. Wet your hands with some water and start shaping the mixture into small sausage-like shapes, about the size of a finger. This will allow the Cevapi to cook evenly on the grill.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the Cevapi on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they have a nice char and are cooked through.
- Traditionally, Cevapi is served with flatbread, alongside chopped onions, sour cream, and a red pepper sauce called ajvar. However, you can serve them with your favorite sides.
Note:
Make sure not to overcrowd the grill as this will steam the Cevapi instead of charring them. They are best enjoyed freshly grilled and hot!