Balkan Uštipci with Bacon and Cheese | Juicy Meat Patties

Cut the smoked bacon or sliced bacon and the Trappist cheese into very small cubes, about 3-4 mm in size. Finely chop the onion as finely as possible, and crush or finely grate the garlic cloves.

Place the minced pork in a spacious mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped bacon, cheese cubes, finely chopped onion, and crushed garlic. Sprinkle with the baking soda, sweet paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pour in 50-60 ml of cold sparkling mineral water, which together with the baking soda will make the mixture exceptionally juicy and light.

Knead and work the meat mixture thoroughly by hand for at least 5-6 minutes until it becomes completely cohesive and smooth. Using wet or lightly oiled hands, shape the mixture into oval or slightly flattened patties (uštipci), slightly larger than a walnut.