Chivapchichi Serbian Hamburger Fingers Recipes

SERBIAN PLJESKAVICA (HAMBURGERS)

Steps:

• 1. Mix together all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate for several hours for flavors to meld and mixture to firm.
• 2. Heat grill. Using slightly dampened hands, divide meat mixture into 6 portions. Form into thin patties, 9 inches by 1/2 inch or about the size of a small dinner plate.
• 3. Grill, broil or pan fry pljeskavica about 7 minutes per side. Indoor grills work well, too. Serve with green onions or chopped raw onion, tomatoes, pogacha and Serbian potato salad or cole slaw on the side. Some Serbs place the patty on a large bun like an American hamburger.

SERBIAN CEVAPCICI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for medium-low heat.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, ground lamb and egg white. Add the garlic, salt, baking soda, black pepper, cayenne pepper and paprika. Mix well using your hands, and form into finger length sausages about 3/4 inch thick.
• Lightly oil the grilling surface. Grill sausages until cooked through, turning as needed, about 30 minutes.

CEVAPCICI (CEVAPI) BALKAN SAUSAGE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, ground lamb and egg white. Add the garlic, salt, baking soda, black pepper, cayenne pepper and paprika. Mix well using your hands.
• Form into finger length sausages about 3/4 inch thick. Arrange in a plate.
• Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate for one hour to one day, to let the flavors settle and the mixture become firm.
• Preheat the grill, medium-low heat. Lightly oil the grilling surface.
• Grill cevapcici until cooked through, turning as needed. The grilling usually takes about 30 minutes.
• Serve in warmed or grilled pita bread, white bread or rolls on a bed of chopped onions, with your choice of toppings such as kajmak, sour cream, cottage cheese, fresh peppers, ajvar or tomatoes.

SARAJEVO CEVAPI (SERBIAN SAUSAGES)

Steps:

• Cut the three different beef types into 1-inch pieces and place into a large bowl. Add salt, garlic powder, and pepper and mix until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Insert a medium-coarse grinder plate in your meat grinder. Pass meat mixture 2 times through the meat grinder.
• Shape meat mixture into sausages the size and shape of a fat finger, roughly 3 inches long and 3/4 inch in diameter.
• Preheat an outdoor charcoal grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Grill cevapi until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

SERBIAN GROUND BEEF, VEGGIE, AND POTATO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a casserole dish.
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly brown. Remove beef from skillet, reserving juices, and set aside. Mix in the olive oil, and saute the green pepper, onion, carrot, and celery until tender.
• Return beef to the skillet, and season with paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir in the water and red wine until heated through. Dissolve the beef bouillon cube into the mixture. Remove skillet from heat, and mix in the half-and-half.
• Layer the bottom of the prepared casserole dish with enough potato slices to cover. Place the beef and vegetable mixture over the potatoes, and top with remaining potatoes.
• Cook, covered, 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the potatoes are tender.