Ćevapčići, Books and Bowling.

Last night we ate the Ćevapčići which I had bought at David's on Sunday. They were hot and spicy. They shouldn't be. I ate them all round Yugoslavia (as it was then called) and not one of them was hot and spicy. I have also eaten them made by Croatians or Serbians living in this country. The ones we ate last night weren't bad, but they certainly were not Ćevapčići. Another thing, they had skins on like sausages. Never seen that before. Oh well, I won't be buying those again. The problem is, I can buy them at a local meat market, but they no longer have the lamb variety we like, only beef and pork and we don't enjoy those so much. Apparently nobody makes the lamb variety any more. It is possible to make them at home, but it calls for a lot of mincing and quite a bit of work. Maybe I had better look into the recipe I have. Bowling yesterday went well for Matt, thank goodness, he tried something different apparently and it seemed to work. I hope it continues to do so. I had a reasonable game, guess I bowled myself out on Sunday LOL. Well that's my excuse anyway. Today we can relax for a bit - we seem to have been on the go for days. I finished my book The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. A lot of reading there, but a great book. I really enjoyed every page of it. I will now be chomping at the bit until the next book is published. I am already chomping at the bit waiting for Glenda Larke's next book in her current series The Watergivers. I really much prefer coming to a series or trilogy once its been written, this starting at the beginning is very wearing on the nerves, LOL. I am now reading a book called The Perk by Mark Giminez. Seems excellent so far. I have read all his books so far and thoroughly enjoyed them. Although I see there is a new one, The Common Lawyer which I shall have to get hold of. Just spoke to the library and there is also another due out in 2010. They are going to order the latest one for me. I decided to see if I can find a recipe for Ćevapčići and I have - I have been hunting through several recipes and not one of them was for lamb only. Also I found several recipes which included hot spices, so it would appear I am wrong about them these days. They certainly weren't hot and spicy when I was in Yugoslavia in 1969 but maybe they changed when the rest of Europe found them. I also used to buy plain lamb but now I can't get those at all. In Yugoslavia they were always served on a bed of chopped onions. No buns, but I don't see why not if that is your preference. Ćevapčići (Grilled Lamb & Beef Sausages) * 1 Tbsp. lard (or butter) * 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped * 1 garlic clove, finely chopped * 1 lb ground lamb * 1 lb ground beef * 1 egg white, lightly beaten * 1 Tbsp. sweet Hungarian paprika * 2 Tbsp. onions, finely chopped Heat the butter or lard in a small frying pan and when it starts to foam add the onions and garlic. Fry, stirring occassionally, until soft, around 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the lamb, beef, egg and spices in a bowl. When ready, add the onion and garlic mixture. Mix well. Shape into small cylinders, approximately 1" x 2" and arrange in a plate. Cover with plastic wrap, wax paper or a towell and refrigerate for one hour to one day, to let the flavors settle and the mixture become firm. Arrange the Ćevapčići on skewers about 1/4" apart from each other. Grill or pan fry in medium heat until done to your preference. Serve sprinkled with chopped onions and accompanied with pita bread. Have a great day.