Mititei (IPA: [mi.ti.'tej]) or mici (IPA: [mitʃʲ]) (Romanian for little or small - plural) is a traditional Romanian dish, grilled minced-meat rolls made from beef (usually mixed with mutton and pork), which contain garlic, black pepper, savory and sometimes a touch of paprika. Sodium bicarbonate is also added. It is best served accompanied by mustard and beer. The mititei are very popular in Romania.
History
Legend has it that mititei were invented one evening at an inn called La Iordachi (At Iordachi) in Bucharest, well-known for its sausages, when the kitchen ran out of casings.
