Azur Meat Market - Cevapcici

LTH,

In the mood for Cevapcici my first thought was Azur Meat Market. Pleased to see it not just still open, but better stocked, fresher, cleaner with a distinct retail vibe, as opposed to the wholesale/clubby atmosphere of past. Current owners of Azur ran Ilidzanka , which was just a few door east, now home to Paprika.



Single store front with fresh meats, emphasis on veal and veal variety cuts, Bosnian dry goods and dairy. For me Azur is all about Cevapcici, Kajmak and Ajvar.



Of the two types of kajmak Tofko prefers blue label.



Tofko and his wife Senada own and run Azur with Senada doing the baking. Samoon, lepinje and a smattering of other baked good are typically on hand, but Senada has been under the weather. Samoon from either Eastern Breadstone Bakery or Taza Bakery work perfectly.

Tofko



Hadn't made cevapcici at home for quite a while, inexpensive, delicious, I don't know why its not in our regular dinner rotation.

Azur Meats Cevapcici



Kajmak and Ajvar, essential accompanyments



Tofko was quite insistent about cooking the cevapcici slow, so I cooked them slow.



Cevapcici for two



Though not traditional I enjoy caramelized onions along with kajmak and ajvar.



Looking forward to my next round of cevapcici, box pictured above contained two layers, but I will have to stop for more kajmak and ajvar. I've been using them for pretty much everything the last few days, added to scrambled eggs, leftover smoked brisket and chicken and schemer on morning toast instead of jam.

Enjoy,
Gary

Azur Meats
2547 W Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
773-784-7350
for Cevapcici

Eastern Breadstone Bakery
2818 W. Devon
Chicago, IL 60645
773-338-9969
6am - 4pm

Taza Bakery
3100 West Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
773-942-7541

Paprika
2547A W. Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-338-4906

Gwiv's post reminded me that I had seen a listing showing that Azur (including recipes) is for sale:
http://www.trulia.com/property/3041620307-2547-W-Lawrence-Ave-Chicago-IL-60625

Get your cevapcici while you can...

I wonder how many owners Azur has had. Back in 2007 I noted that Azur had changed hands earlier in the year around the time that Ilidzanka closed.

Last summer I bought some cevapcici there that were unspeakably salty, actually crunchy with salt crystals throughout after cooking. It was not just a hot spot in part of the tray either.