Balkan Burgers Recipes

BALKAN BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, place meats, 1/2 cup chopped onions, salt, pepper and sparkling water. Using your hands, lightly combine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Divide mixture into six equal balls. Place one ball between two sheets of plastic wrap and use the heel of your hand to pound it to a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick and 6 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining meat; refrigerate patties about 1 hour.
• Heat a grill or heavy skillet to very hot. Cook patties, turning often, until well browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Cut pita breads in half horizontally, and serve burgers between pieces of pita. Sprinkle with onions and spread with kajmak and ajvar as desired.

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.

PLJESKAVICA - TRADITIONAL SERBIAN BURGER RECIPE

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix ground beef and pork, salt, sweet paprika, black pepper and sparkling water. Combine with your hands. Brush olive oil on the surface of the meat mixture. It will help us to retain moisture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least few hours or overnight.
• Add onions to the meat mixture and mix well. Divide to 4 balls and use your hands to pound it to a thin patty. The size should be about 6-7 inches (15-17cm) in diameter.
• Grill or fry your patties for about 3-4 minutes per side or more, if desired. Take pita pockets and assemble your burgers by spreading ajvar and kajmak and adding onions and pickles as desired. 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:

• 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.

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.