Balkan Cevapi-Style Beef Skillet with Ajvar

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1.2 kg raw lean ground beef, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp sweet paprika, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Knead the meat mixture firmly with your hands for 3 minutes to develop the proteins, which creates the traditional bouncy texture of cevapi.

Divide the meat mixture and shape into 18 small, skinless sausage logs (about 7 cm long and 2 cm thick). Place them on a plate and set aside.

Prepare the cabbage slaw: Finely shred 300 g green cabbage. In a bowl, toss the cabbage with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 10 g chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley. Massage the cabbage with your hands for 1 minute to soften, then set aside.

Blister the okra: Trim the tough stem ends of 200 g fresh okra, leaving them whole. Heat a dry, heavy skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the okra in a single layer and sear without moving for 2 to 3 minutes until charred on the bottom. Toss and cook for another 2 minutes until blistered but still crisp. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon over the hot okra, season with a pinch of salt, and transfer to a side plate.

Cook the beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, add the 18 beef logs. Sear for 6 to 8 minutes, turning frequently, until deeply browned on all sides and cooked to an internal temperature of 71°C.

Warm 3 pita breads by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30 seconds, or warming in a dry pan for 1 minute per side.

Reserve tomorrow's portion: Set aside exactly half of the cooked beef logs (9 logs, approximately 600 g cooked weight) in an airtight container. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for Day 5 lunch wraps.

Assemble and serve: Divide the remaining 9 hot beef logs among 3 plates. Serve alongside 150 g ajvar spread, the prepared cabbage slaw, the blistered okra, 1 finely chopped yellow onion, and 1 warmed pita bread per person. Garnish with the remaining 5 g chopped parsley.