Sarajevski ćevapi with Ajvar Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Flatbread, for serving Flatbread, for serving
• Raw onions, thinly sliced, for serving Raw onions, thinly sliced, for serving
• Ajvar sauce, for serving Ajvar sauce, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 30g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 2g, 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, paprika, salt, black pepper, cumin, and baking soda. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Take a small portion of the meat mixture and shape it into an elongated cylinder, about 8-10cm (3-4 inches) long and 2cm (0.8 inches) in diameter. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
3. 3.
   Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the ćevapi on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned and cooked through.
4. 4.
   While the ćevapi are grilling, warm the flatbread on the grill for a minute on each side.
5. 5.
   Serve the grilled ćevapi hot with warm flatbread, sliced raw onions, and a generous amount of ajvar sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground lamb — Make sure to use lean ground lamb for a healthier option. If you prefer a stronger lamb flavor, you can use a higher fat percentage.
• Ajvar sauce — You can either make your own ajvar sauce by roasting red peppers and eggplants or purchase it from specialty stores. Look for ajvar without any added preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the meat mixture.
• If you don't have a grill or grill pan, you can also cook the ćevapi on a stovetop skillet.
• Serve the ćevapi with a side of fresh salad or pickles for a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.

Serving advice

Arrange the grilled Sarajevski ćevapi on a platter, accompanied by warm flatbread, sliced raw onions, and a bowl of ajvar sauce. Encourage your guests to assemble their own ćevapi by placing a sausage on a piece of flatbread, topping it with onions, and generously spreading ajvar sauce over it. Roll it up and enjoy!

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the platter with fresh parsley or cilantro leaves. You can also serve the ćevapi with a side of colorful roasted vegetables or a vibrant salad.