Pljeskavica

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/4 lb ground lamb
• 1 small onion, grated and squeezed dry
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons sparkling water
• 4 lepinja or soft pita breads
• 1/2 cup kajmak or clotted cream
• 1/2 cup ajvar (roasted red pepper relish)
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced, for serving

Before you cook

• Grate the onion into a bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid by hand.
• Mince the garlic.
• Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat.

Steps

1. Combine the beef, pork, lamb, grated onion, garlic, baking soda, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Add the sparkling water and knead the mixture firmly with your hands for 3 to 4 minutes, until sticky and paste-like.
3. Divide the meat into 4 portions and shape each into a wide, flat disc about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Grill the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side without pressing down, until deeply charred and cooked through.
5. Split the lepinja breads and toast them cut-side down on the grill for 1 minute.
6. Spread kajmak over the warm bread.
7. Set a patty on top of the kajmak.
8. Spoon ajvar over the patty and scatter with sliced raw onion.
9. Close the sandwich and serve immediately.