on Jun 01, 2024 With grilling season just around the corner, I knew I had to pay homage to my Balkan roots with this recipe. This has been a long time coming, so, idemo (letโs go) ๐ง๐ฌ๐ง๐ฆ๐ญ๐ท๐ท๐ธ๐ท๐ด๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฐ!
Why Youโll Love Cevapi
Crispy on the outside and incredibly tender and juicy ๐ฆ on the inside, cevapi are are Balkan staple for a reason. These little sausages are made with a simple blend of spices and a hefty portion of garlic ๐ง, giving them their distinct savory and garlicky flavor. The mix of meats ensures the right ratio of fat to keep the cevapi moist, and grilling them adds a smoky flavor, taking them to the next level. Once you try cevapi, youโll understand why Balkans love this dish, and I guarantee youโll become just as obsessed ๐.
What are Cevapi?
ฤevapi are small hand-shaped grilled sausages made from a mix of beef, lamb, or pork, often seasoned with a simple blend of garlic, paprika, salt ๐ง and pepper. ฤevapi are traditionally served with warm lepina or somun (a type of pita bread), chopped onions ๐ง , ajvar (a red pepper-based spread), and sour cream or kajmak (a type of clotted cream). Each region in the Balkans has its own variation and name for these meat sausages, but the name ฤevapi is specific to ex-Yugoslavia, where they date back to the 1500s and are a national dish. In Bulgaria ๐ง๐ฌ, we call them kebapche (plural: kebapcheta). Kebapcheta are made with a slightly different spice blend, often including cumin, although I always leave it out because Iโm not a fan of it ๐ . Similar to ฤevapi, kebapcheta are a staple in Bulgarian cuisine, and you can always find them at barbecues, restaurants, and street food vendors.
How to Prepare Cevapi
๐ฅฃ In a large bowl, add the pork, beef, egg, grated onion, garlic, paprika, and salt and pepper. โจ In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and the sparkling water. โฒ Add the baking soda mixture to the meat mixture and, using clean hands, mix well to combine. Then, cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours. ๐ฅ The next day, when youโre ready to cook, preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat. ๐ญ Take a large spoonful of the meat mixture and form it into a bowl. Then, using your hands, form it into a 4-inch log, similar to the shape of a sausage. ๐งโ๐ณ Cook the cevapi over indirect medium-high heat (400F on the grill) or until grill marks appear on all sides of the cevapi. They are ready when a kitchen thermometer inserted in the center reads 165F.
Variations and Substitutions for Cevapi
Best Served With
Cevapi are traditionally served with fresh pita bread called lepina. If you want to try making something similar, you can use the dough (omit the cheese) from my pita recipe. A Shopska Salad is the perfect addition to grilled cevapi ๐ฅ. French fries often accompany kebapcheta as a side dish. Make them Bulgarian by topping the potatoes with crumbled feta cheese. ๐ If you want to eat like a real Balkan, serve the cevapi with lepina or somun (a type of pita bread), chopped onions ๐ง , ajvar (a red pepper-based spread), and sour cream or kajmak (a type of clotted cream).
Common Questions
