Serbian burger delight: Transform your mealtime with pljeskavica

There are countless ideas for using minced meat for patties, casseroles, and pasta with sauce. When traditional Polish dinners become tedious, it's worth trying something delightfully different. Instead of ordering a burger or visiting fast food chains, I make scrumptious Serbian burgers. My family requests them much more often than the American version.

Pljeskavica is the Serbian equivalent of our patty, only flatter and seasoned in a Balkan style. The name comes from the Serbian word "pljeskati", which means "to clap" or "to slap". And that's exactly what these patties are - flattened, fried, and eaten with relish.

Traditionally, it is made from several types of meat, most often beef, pork, and lamb. You can skip the lamb - it is difficult to find in Poland, and the taste may not appeal to everyone. The secret of Serbian patties lies in the additions: onion and pepper give the meat character and ensure they can't be confused with grandma's meatballs.

Pljeskavica is a great base for making burgers. Simply place the patties between a bun and add vegetables and your favourite sauces. I particularly recommend trying ajvar, a spicy pepper paste. Instead of the traditional white bun, pita works well too. These burgers taste better than the mundane and overdone American sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 450g minced beef and pork,
• 1 onion,
• 2-3 cloves of garlic,
• 1 egg,
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs,
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika,
• 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika,
• salt and pepper to taste,
• oil for frying.

Preparation method:

1. Place the minced meat in a large bowl. Add the peeled and finely chopped onion, garlic pressed through a presser, egg, breadcrumbs, sweet and hot paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until the ingredients combine.
3. Form flat patties from the meat mixture, approximately 2.5cm thick.
4. On a heated pan with oil, fry the patties on both sides until golden brown.

Serve the ready pljeskavice on a bun with vegetables (e.g., lettuce, tomato, cucumber), sauces (e.g., ajvar, kajmak), and fries. Enjoy!