BY: Jas · PUBLISHED: · UPDATED: · This post may contain affiliate links.
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This one-skillet recipe for spiced minced meat and eggs poached on top is the Bosnian version of shakshuka, and it's a quick and simple specialty dish eaten for breakfast, lunch, or supper.
This classic Balkan dish is quick and easy to prepare and will make you clean your plate in a flash! It's a very popular specialty food found on restaurant menus across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It has a wonderful aroma, and it is especially suitable for those days when you have a large appetite but little time to cook.
Table of Contents
1) Why this Bosnian Cimbur works:
2) Ingredients for Bosnian-style shakshuka:
3) How to make this dish of minced meat and eggs:
4) Meat and eggs recipe variations and notes:
5) Can I make it vegetarian?
6) What to serve with Cimbur?
7) More easy recipes with ground meat:
8) Easy Bosnian Minced Meat and Eggs - Čimbur
Why this Bosnian Cimbur works:
- It is quick and easy to make.
- Čimbur is a light but filling dish.
- You only need a few essential ingredients.
- It's perfect any time of the year and for any meal, including brunch.
Ingredients for Bosnian-style shakshuka:
This delicious dish consists of a few basic ingredients:
- Minced meat
- Eggs
- Butter
- Onions
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
How to make this dish of minced meat and eggs:
This delicious one-pan Bosnian dish takes no more than 20 minutes to prepare. The detailed description is in the recipe box below.
- Cook the ground meat, typically lamb, with onions, garlic, and tomato mark then season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Top with eggs and cook or bake until eggs are poached.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Meat and eggs recipe variations and notes:
- Use chopped tomato or tomato sauce instead of tomato mark.
- Add a tablespoon of hot or mild Ajvar [pepper and eggplant relish-like spread] for a unique flavor.
- Substitute ground lamb with beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and nutmeg.
- Replace the butter with oil.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the meat. In addition to onions and garlic, you can add chopped mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, leek, peppers, and tomatoes or any vegetable of your choice.
Try poaching (or even scrambling) eggs over sautéed onions and peppers. It's my favorite egg dish, and I often only use onions as a base.
What to serve with Cimbur?
Traditionally, we serve Čimbur with pita bread (lepinja - pictured) and salad greens or tomatoes on the side. If you want a more substantial meal, serve the meat and eggs over pasta tossed with butter, boiled potatoes, or rice.
More easy recipes with ground meat:
- FILIPINO BREAKFAST TORTA
- TURKISH HUMMUS PITA WITH GROUND LAMB
- GREEK LAMB MEATBALL PITA SANDWICH
- HOMEMADE CHIPOTLE BURRITO BOWL
- GREEK-STYLE BEEF AND CHEESE TORTELLINI SKILLET
Easy Bosnian Minced Meat and Eggs - Čimbur
By Jas
Čimbur is a quick specialty dish of minced meat and fried eggs from the Bosnian cuisine, perfect for summer breakfasts, quick lunches or late suppers.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
Cuisine Bosnian
Yields 2 - 4 servings
Calories 903 kcal
EQUIPMENT
cast iron skillet
Ingredients
US Customary - Metric
- 1 pound minced lamb, see notes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato mark
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, fry the chopped onion on two tablespoons of butter until soft. Add the pound of minced meat, stir well and fry together for several minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
Stir in one tablespoon tomato mark, two cloves sliced garlic and teaspoon of paprika, and continue to cook until all the meat juice is evaporated. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
With a spoon, make 4 dents in the meat mixture and break eggs into each "hole". Lower the heat to medium, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer until the eggs are cooked to your liking, about 5-8 minutes. Alternatively, put the skillet (uncovered) in the 350 degrees Fahrenheit preheated oven and bake until eggs are done.
Sprinkle with two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and paprika. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use chopped tomato or tomato sauce instead of tomato paste.
- Add a tablespoon of Ajvar, [pepper and eggplant salsa-like spread] for a unique flavor.
- Substitute ground lamb with beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and nutmeg.
- Replace the butter with oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 903kcal (45%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Protein: 50g (100%) | Fat: 73g (112%) | Saturated Fat: 28g (140%) | Cholesterol: 493mg (164%) | Sodium: 460mg (19%) | Potassium: 831mg (24%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 4g (4%) | Vitamin A: 1927IU (39%) | Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) | Calcium: 109mg (11%) | Iron: 6mg (33%)
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- Simple Slow-Roasted Leg of Lamb with Beer
Reader Interactions
Comments
acraftymix says
OMW Jas, that looks scrumptious. There would be nothing left on the plate, errmmm I mean skillet and no sharing either 😀 The hubby can just make us each one I think
Reply
Jas says
Put that man of yours to work. 😀 I hope he'll make it for you. Thanks for stopping in, my dear!
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Bojan says
Well, cimbur you described here is not what I recollect from my memory. In Sarajevo valley cimbur is a simple dish of stumbled eggs and “young”, baker cheese cooked for cheese to get that delicious gooey chewiness property.What you are mentioning here looks more like genuine pasta meat souse garnished with eggs cooked sunny side up on top of it. Your dish is absolutely good looking one because it is made by mixing two proteins (eggs/ meat ) and you can not go wrong there, but I am not sure you will get this dish brought by waiter if you order a “cimbur”in any of urban restaurants in Bosnia . But, to be honest, my knowledge of rural Bosnian municipalities is absolutely not sufficient, while I lived there from my birth to age od 28 I simply did not move from Sarajevo and explore other municipalities in cBosnia. Maybe you and your family call this cimbur.
Wish you the best an FC good luck with your blog.Jas says
Hi Bojan, you are partially correct. I'm not claiming this is the only version of cimbur. Some variations include eggs and onions, cheese and eggs, or meat and eggs like this version. Just because you haven't traveled or experienced all of our traditional dishes doesn't mean they don't exist or are only custom in "rural areas". But don't take my word for it. Simply search Cimbur in Google and see what you get. Luckily the internet allows you to travel the world without ever leaving your kitchen. 😉 For starters, here's an example of meat cimbur from two sisters who live in Sarajevo.
Like you, I also grew up in Bosnia (Banja Luka - from birth to age 27) and have made various cimbur recipes. This one with meat was my dad's favorite. I hope you have a wonderful day. Try new foods!
Chelsey says
Love this idea for a quick and easy weeknight dish! Skillet meals are the best, and I’m always a fan of breakfast for dinner. Thanks for sharing!
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Jas says
Same here, breakfast for dinner is my fav! 😀 Thank you for stopping in, Chelsey!
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Ron says
Jas, your Čimbur looks very tasty to me and it's also making me hungry. I love hashy type dishes and one with lamb makes it even better. A must try it my book and I'll be having a tad (or more) of ajvar with it for sure. Thanks for sharing.
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Jas says
With Ajvar is even better, Ron! Let me know how you liked it. Thanks so much for stopping in and have a wonderful day!
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Haley Seymour says
YUM!!! I have actually never made minced meat at all! But I do love how it tastes! This seems like a great approachable recipe for me to try it out. Plus, any recipe involving pita bread is a winner in my book! Thanks, Jas!
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Jas says
Thank you, Haley! Minced or ground meat (not to be confused with mincemeat) is my go-to meat for easy and quick dishes during the week. 🙂
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Alexandra Shunk says
I have never made minced meat with eggs but I can’t imagine it’s delicious. Especially using lamb! I also love the idea of serving this with pita bread!! Pita is my favorite dipping agent! Thanks for this yummy, easy skillet idea!!!
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Jas says
It doesn't sound like much, but it is really delicious and filling. Thank you, Aleka!
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Kim | Give it Some Thyme says
Love a quick and easy skillet meal! This sounds so delicious and we're always fans of breakfast for dinner. Thanks for sharing Jas!
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Jas says
You're welcome, Kim! I'm glad you like this idea and hope you'll give it a try! XX
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