To begin, let’s gather the ingredients you will need to make cevapcici. You will need:
– 1 pound of ground beef
– 1 pound of ground lamb
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 onion, grated
– 1 tablespoon of paprika
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and lamb. Add the minced garlic, grated onion, paprika, salt, black pepper, and baking soda. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. You want to make sure that all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat mixture.
Once the mixture is well combined, it’s time to shape the cevapcici. Take a small handful of the meat mixture and roll it into a small sausage shape, about 3-4 inches long. Repeat this process until you have used up all the meat mixture. You should be able to make around 20-24 cevapcici sausages.
Next, preheat your grill or a large skillet on medium-high heat. If you are using a grill, make sure to oil the grates to prevent the cevapcici from sticking. If you are using a skillet, add a little bit of oil to the pan. Once the grill or skillet is heated, place the cevapcici on the cooking surface.
Cook the cevapcici for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and cooked through. You want to make sure that the sausages are cooked all the way through to ensure they are safe to eat. You can check for doneness by cutting one of the sausages in half and making sure the inside is no longer pink.
Once the cevapcici are cooked, remove them from the grill or skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute within the sausages, making them even more flavorful.
Cevapcici are traditionally served with pita bread or flatbread, along with some fresh vegetables and a side of ajvar, a delicious red pepper relish. You can also serve them with tzatziki sauce or your favorite condiments. The choice is yours!
Now that you know how to cook cevapcici, you can impress your friends and family with this delicious Balkan dish. Whether you are hosting a barbecue or simply want to enjoy a flavorful meal at home, cevapcici is a great choice. So fire up the grill, gather the ingredients, and get ready to indulge in these mouthwatering sausages. Enjoy!