Ćevapčići (tchevapchichi) were during 20 century considered as a main fast food meal throughout the parts of central (discover) and southern (discover) Europe (see map), before large international fast food chains, together with democracy entered new markets in the 1990s.

Prior to 20th century and WWI, for centuries Ottoman empire (discover Turkey) was stretching from Middle East (map) to, at the times, all the way to outskirts of Vienna – Austria (discover), and obviously had left behind cultural, traditional and religious stamp, and of course culinary dishes. Ćevapčići is specialty similar to the world over know kebab and as kebab itself ćevapčići are prepared in many different ways that could change from country to country, region to region, city to city.

Let’s introduce you to a basic meat mix for ćevapčići who grilled on BBQ will make your family and friends ask for more.

Ingredients:

• 1kg (2 lb) of ground beef
• 1 Tablespoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon of red paprika
• few cloves of chopped garlic
• 1-2 Tablespoons of oil

• (optional) 2 Tablespoons of chopped onions
• (optional) add an egg
• (optional) add to the meat mix ground lamb

Preparation:

1. Into a large mixing bowl add the meat and all of the ingredients.
2. Mix well all together.
3. Make thumb size sausage shaped ćevapčići.
4. Place them on a hot surface on your BBQ, turn once when one side is done.

Tip: Ćevapčići are traditionally served with chopped onions and white bread. Some may serve it with the vegetable spread called Ajvar, or sour cream and even horse radish.

Instead of bread, flat-bread or pita is often served, in Croatian (travel notes) language known as lepinja or somun.

Related: White bread recipe

Bon Appétit!