BALKAN BURGERS

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Balkan Burgers image

Called pljeskavica, pronounced PLYESS-ka-vee-tsa, this burger as wide as a birthday cake is beloved in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Montenegro; and more recently in Italy, Germany, Chicago as well as Queens.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, burgers, main course

Time 30m

Yield 6 burgers

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound ground beef, preferably chuck
1 pound ground veal
1 pound ground pork, preferably neck or jowl meat; or use 1/3 pound pork belly and 2/3 pound regular ground pork
1/2 cup finely chopped onions plus minced onions, for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper; or use 2 teaspoons sweet paprika and 1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup sparkling water
6 pita breads, warmed or toasted
Kajmak with herbs (see recipe)
Red pepper-eggplant ajvar (see recipe)

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.

MD Tannin Hossain Emon
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These burgers were delicious! I especially liked the tzatziki sauce. It was the perfect complement to the burgers.


Jim Guinotte
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I wasn't a big fan of these burgers. I found them to be a bit too dry and bland.


Amara Chi
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These burgers were really good! I liked the addition of the feta cheese. It gave the burgers a nice tang.


Saleem shch
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I love the unique flavor of these burgers. The combination of spices is perfect. I'll definitely be making these again.


Rash Bean
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These burgers were amazing! I made them for a party, and everyone raved about them. I'll definitely be making them again.


Rj Rubel 8870 Rj Rubel
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I followed the recipe exactly, but my burgers turned out dry. I'm not sure what went wrong.


Md Bipul Hossain
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These burgers were a bit too spicy for me, but my husband loved them. He said they were the best burgers he's ever had.


guerrah amira
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I wasn't sure what to expect from these burgers, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were really good! I especially liked the tzatziki sauce.


Veronica Perez-Montgomery
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These burgers were delicious! The only thing I would change is to add a bit more salt to the meat mixture.


Rucky Bhai
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I love the combination of spices in these burgers. They're so flavorful and juicy. I'll definitely be adding this recipe to my regular rotation.


Ob Official
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These Balkan burgers were a hit with my family! The flavors were amazing, and the burgers were cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be making these again.