The Joker
Inspired by Nikola Jokic's Serbian heritage, The Joker is my take on a classic Ćevapčići.
My homemade Serbian-style Ćevapčići is a mix of beef, pork, lamb that's grilled and topped with kajmak, homemade ajvar, and pickled white onion, on fresh baked lepinja.
Just like Jokic himself, this sandwich is a complete and balanced force fit for a champion.
Ingredients
1/2 lb each of ground beef, pork, and lamb
1/2 cup minced or grated onion
1/2 thinly sliced white onion
10 garlic cloves minced
3 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp sweet paprika
2 tsp smoked paprika
4 red bell peppers
1 eggplant
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp white vinegar
Preparation
In a large bowl combine your meats with the minced onion, garlic, sweet and smoked paprika, baking soda, salt and pepper together and knead the meat for about 2 minutes until the surface becomes tacky. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Once rested take a golf ball size ball of meat and began to work it between your hands and shape into a cylindrical shape. Repeat with the remaining meat and grill for 6-8 minutes or a thermometer reads 160 F.
Ajvar:Using a grill, broiler, or stovetop burner roast your peppers and eggplant until deeply charred, about 10-15 minutes. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic to steam. Once cooled, remove the outer skins of the peppers, along with the seeds and stems. Scoop out eggplant from it's skin and place in a food processor along with garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and vinegar and run until mixture is smooth. Adjust for seasoning and acid. Add additional vinegar if needed.
In a small bowl, coat thinly sliced onion with salt and sugar then cover with water and vinegar. Set aside for atleast 30 minutes.
Split your Lepinja or create a pocket in your pita. Spread kajmak on one side and ajvar on the other. Nestle your Ćevapčići in between and top with pickled white onons
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