This week to represent Serbia we're bringing you a big bold Balkan burger with a cheesy heart. Pljeskavica is a national dish of Serbia but popular also in Croatia. A beef patty packed with flavour and stuffed with cheese, what more could you want? Serve in the style of the Balkans in a freshly toasted pitta with more goat's cheese, raw onion, sliced tomatoes, Advjar pepper spread (if you can get your hands on any) and plenty of salad leaves!

Stuffed Pljeskavica - The Balkan Burger

<em>You could create this dish using any weber BBQ.</em>
		

IN THE KITCHEN

• In a large mixing bowl add your minced meat (equal proportions of Beef, Pork and Lamb), finely chopped red and white onion, minced garlic and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Combine and mix well, refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to firm up the mixture and allow the flavours to marry together.
• With wet hands, pinch off and roll a small ball of your burger mix.
• Flatten between your hands into a flat burger patty.
• Press a shallow well into the middle of the patty and add small cubes of cheese, we've found that feta/goats cheese works particularly well with this recipe.
• Wrap the lips of the patty around the cheese centre, roll into a ball and then flatten back into a patty shape.

AT THE BBQ

• Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat, cast iron grates are especially fantastic for searing burgers.
• Spray the grates with a non-stick spray for protection and to prevent sticking.
• Using a spatula add your burgers directly onto the grates and close the BBQ lid.
• After 6-8 minutes, open the lid and flip your burgers. If properly seared you should find that the burgers come away smoothly from the grates without sticking or falling apart.
• Close the lid and cook until cooked - a further 6-10 minutes. If you're unsure wether your burgers are properly cooked then use a weber thermometer to check the internal tempreture of the burgers.