Authentic Romanian Mititei (Grilled Sausages)
Discover the deliciousness of Authentic Romanian Mititei, a street food favorite that has been perfected through generations. This recipe is a tribute to the classic flavors found in the bustling markets of Romania, showcasing a harmonious blend of pork, beef, and lamb. The addition of aromatic spices and garlic infuses the meat with a rich depth of flavor, while the carbonation from mineral water or blonde beer ensures a tender, juicy texture. Perfect for summer barbecues or cozy gatherings, these grill-seared sausages pair beautifully with fresh bread, zesty mustard, and chilled beer. Join me, Cami from RomanianCookbook, in bringing this delightful dish to your table, and make it a staple of your culinary repertoire.
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Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork
16 ounces (freshly ground)
beef
16 ounces (freshly ground)
lamb
16 ounces (freshly ground)
mineral water or blonde beer
500 ml (chilled)
salt
1 tablespoon (none)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (none)
paprika
1 tablespoon (none)
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
thyme
1 teaspoon (powdered)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cumin
1 pinch (none)
ground star anise
1 pinch (none)
garlic cloves
10-12 (mashed)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
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1. Begin by grinding the meats (pork, beef, and lamb) through a meat grinder if they’re not pre-ground, ensuring a fine consistency.
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2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats with salt and baking soda. Gradually incorporate mineral water or blonde beer, mixing with your hands until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
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3. Add the remaining spices—paprika, black pepper, thyme, coriander, allspice, cumin, and star anise—along with the mashed garlic mixed with lemon juice. Blend the mixture thoroughly, kneading it for a minimum of 15 minutes to enhance its texture.
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4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld. For best results, allow it to chill overnight.
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5. Once chilled, remove the meat mixture from the fridge. With wet hands, form the mititei into cylindrical shapes measuring approximately 7-8 cm long and 2-3 cm thick.
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6. Preheat your grill to medium heat. Grill the mititei for about 4 minutes on each side, ensuring all four sides are cooked evenly.
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7. Serve the hot mititei with classic mustard, sweet buns, and a cold beer for the ultimate Romanian experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Romanian Mititei?
Romanian Mititei, also known as mici, are traditional grilled ground meat sausages that are a popular street food staple in Romania.
What types of meat are used in this Mititei recipe?
This authentic recipe uses a combination of equal parts pork, beef, and lamb.
Why is baking soda added to the meat mixture?
Baking soda is used to tenderize the meat and help create the signature springy and juicy texture of the sausages.
What role does mineral water or beer play in the recipe?
The carbonation from chilled mineral water or blonde beer ensures the sausages remain tender and juicy during the grilling process.
How long should I knead the meat mixture?
The meat should be kneaded for at least 15 minutes to thoroughly blend the spices and achieve the correct texture.
How long does the Mititei mixture need to rest?
The mixture should be refrigerated for at least 6 hours, though allowing it to chill overnight provides the best results for flavor development.
What is the ideal size for shaping Mititei?
They should be formed into cylindrical shapes approximately 7 to 8 cm long and 2 to 3 cm thick.
How do I prevent the meat from sticking to my hands while shaping?
It is recommended to use wet hands when forming the meat into its cylindrical shapes.
How long do you grill Mititei?
Grill them for about 4 minutes on each side on a medium-heat grill, ensuring all four sides are cooked evenly.
What spices are used in authentic Romanian Mititei?
The spice blend includes paprika, black pepper, thyme, coriander, allspice, cumin, and a pinch of star anise.
Is garlic a necessary ingredient for Mititei?
Yes, this recipe calls for 10-12 mashed garlic cloves to provide a rich and aromatic depth of flavor.
Why is lemon juice included in the recipe?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is mixed with the mashed garlic to brighten the flavors and balance the richness of the meat.
What are the traditional side dishes for Mititei?
They are traditionally served with classic zesty mustard, sweet buns or fresh bread, and a cold beer.
Can I use pre-ground meat?
Yes, you can use pre-ground meat, but ensure it has a fine consistency for the best results.
What type of beer is best for the meat mixture?
A chilled blonde beer is recommended for adding moisture and carbonation to the mix.
What heat level should the grill be at?
A medium heat is best to ensure the sausages cook through without burning the exterior.
Does the recipe require lamb?
While beef and pork are primary, adding lamb is part of the authentic trio of meats used for traditional Romanian flavor.
Can I make these for a barbecue?
Yes, Mititei are a favorite for summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings.
What should the consistency of the meat be?
The meat should reach a smooth consistency after being mixed with the liquid and spices.
How many grams of meat are used in total?
The recipe uses 48 ounces of meat in total (16 oz each of pork, beef, and lamb), which is approximately 1.36 kilograms.
What is the first step in making Mititei?
The first step is to grind the meats to a fine consistency if they are not already ground.
Is thyme used as a fresh herb or powder?
The recipe specifies using powdered thyme for the spice blend.
How much salt is needed?
One tablespoon of salt is used for this quantity of meat.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
The recipe is tagged as an easy recipe, though it requires time for the meat to rest.
What kind of mustard should I serve with mici?
A classic yellow or zesty mustard is the most traditional accompaniment.
Can I substitute the mineral water?
Yes, blonde beer is the suggested substitute for mineral water.
Why is star anise used?
A pinch of ground star anise adds a subtle, unique aromatic note characteristic of some regional authentic recipes.
Should the liquid added to the meat be warm?
No, the liquid (mineral water or beer) should be chilled.
How many cloves of garlic are in the recipe?
The recipe uses between 10 to 12 garlic cloves.
Can the Mititei be served cold?
Mititei are best served hot immediately after being removed from the grill for the ultimate experience.