Bulgarian Kebapche with Smoky Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the smoky tomato sauce: For the smoky tomato sauce:
• 400g (14 oz) canned tomatoes 400g (14 oz) canned tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 2g
• Protein: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Take a handful of the meat mixture and shape it into an elongated roll, about 10cm (4 inches) long and 2.5cm (1 inch) thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Place the kebapche on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned and cooked through.
5. 5.
   While the kebapche are grilling, prepare the smoky tomato sauce. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent.
6. 6.
   Add the canned tomatoes, smoked paprika, sugar, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7. 7.
   Once the kebapche are cooked, serve them hot with the smoky tomato sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Ensure that the meat is well-chilled before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will make it easier to handle and shape into kebapche.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a small amount of liquid smoke to the meat mixture.
• Serve the kebapche with traditional Bulgarian sides like Shopska Salad or Lyutenitsa for a complete Bulgarian culinary experience.
• If you don't have a grill, you can also cook the kebapche in a skillet or bake them in the oven.

Serving advice

Serve the kebapche hot, accompanied by the smoky tomato sauce. They are traditionally enjoyed with a side of fresh bread or pita.

Presentation advice

Arrange the kebapche on a platter, drizzle the smoky tomato sauce over them, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with a side of colorful vegetables for an appealing presentation.