Balkan Burger Recipes

BALKAN BURGER

Steps:

• Lightly mix ground beef, pork, lamb, minced onion, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a mixing bowl making sure not to overwork it. Form into 2 patties and place in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight covered.
• When ready, heat grill to high. Remove patties from fridge and sprinkle with a little bit of salt and pepper on both sides. Toss them on the grill for 5 minutes on each side for medium or until you reach desired doneness. Slide the burgers into a sliced open Lepina bun and add the ajvar, tomatoes and onions. Serve with fries or chips.

SERBIAN HAMBURGER (PLJESKAVICA)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, mix together ground beef chuck, ground pork, ground lamb, garlic, onions, salt, and sweet or hot paprika until thoroughly combined. Do not overmix because this will toughen the meat.
• Refrigerate meat mixture for several hours for the flavors to meld and for the mixture to firm.
• Heat a grill, indoor grill , broiler or skillet. 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.
• Cook pljeskavice about 7 minutes per side.
• Serve with green onions or chopped raw onion, tomato slices, ajvar, lepinje, and pogacha bread, although some Serbs place the patty on a large bun like an American hamburger .
• Enjoy.

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.

BALKAN BURGER

Steps:

• Mix all burger ingredients together with a fork and then with your hands. Shape the meat into patties and place covered in the fridge for 40 minutes. Take the burgers out 20 minutes before you want to cook them.
• Toss the shredded cabbage with the apple cider vinegar.
• Heat a grill pan on medium/high heat. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Remove from the grill pan, tent, and let rest for 5 minutes before assembling.
• While your burgers are cooking, warm your pitas in the oven wrapped in aluminum foil for 5-10 minutes. Slice the pitas in half when they come out of the oven.
• Assemble your burgers: put the bottom half of the pita on a plate, lay down a handful of cabbage, add the burger, top with cheese, sliced onions, ajvar, and the top lid of your pita. Throw the rest of the cabbage and any remaining onions on the plate to enjoy along the way.

KAJMAK WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring cream cheese, butter, ricotta and sour cream to cool room temperature. In a mixer or a food processor, combine cream cheese and butter and mix until fluffy and smooth. Mix in ricotta and sour cream.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix or process until thoroughly incorporated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days. Serve with Balkan burgers (pljeskavica, see recipe) or as a dip.

BALKAN BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. Combine all burger ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
• 2. With wet hands, form 4 patties and refrigerate (covered) until ready to grill.
• 3. Place the chopped vegetables in bowls with spoons.
• 4. Preheat the grill to high. Grill the burgers until cooked through and golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning with a spatula.
• 5. Serve the burgers on rolls topped with spoonfuls of onion, tomato, and pickled pepper.