{"id":"recipe_dcf6d2a3bc","slug":"gibanica-serbian-cheese-pie","title":"Gibanica (Serbian Cheese Pie)","description":"A traditional Balkan pastry featuring layers of thin phyllo dough soaked in a rich, savory mixture of salty white cheese, eggs, sparkling water, and yogurt. This version uses the classic 'gužvara' or crumpled technique for a fluffy, light texture.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":65,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g phyllo dough sheets","name":"Phyllo Dough","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"sheets","notes":"thawed if frozen","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g Feta cheese or Serbian white cheese (sir)","name":"Feta cheese","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"crumbled","notes":"or any salty white cheese","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"5 large eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":5,"unit":"each","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"each","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"200ml Greek yogurt","name":"Greek Yogurt","quantity":200,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"plain","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"250ml sparkling water","name":"Sparkling water","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"essential for fluffiness","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"150ml sunflower oil","name":"Sunflower Oil","quantity":150,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"plus extra for greasing","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste, depends on saltiness of cheese","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and lightly grease a deep baking dish with sunflower oil.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the crumbled Feta cheese, yogurt, sparkling water, sunflower oil, and salt. Mix thoroughly until combined.","group":"Filling","title":"Whisk the eggs","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Open the phyllo dough package. Place two sheets at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, allowing the edges to hang slightly over the sides. These will be your base.","group":"Assembly","title":"Open the phyllo dough package","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Reserve two sheets for the top. Take the remaining phyllo sheets one by one, crumple them loosely into a ball, dip them into the cheese and egg mixture until well-soaked, and place them side-by-side in the baking dish.","group":"Assembly","title":"Reserve two sheets","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Once the dish is full of crumpled sheets, pour any remaining liquid mixture over them. Cover with the reserved two flat sheets and tuck in the edges. Brush the top with a little oil.","group":"Assembly","title":"Pour any remaining liquid mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the pie has puffed up significantly.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":45,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"The secret to a perfectly fluffy Gibanica is using sparkling water and dipping the phyllo sheets individually into the filling. Ensure the cheese is salty; if using a mild cheese, increase the salt quantity.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Serbian","Balkan"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Baking dish (9x13 inch)","Large mixing bowl","Whisk"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","eggs","wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"tray","note":"Standard 9x13 inch baking pan"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can assemble the Gibanica a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated before baking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Best reheated in the oven to restore crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 180°C (356°F) for 10 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_dcf6d2a3bc%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=89d54035-65e8-4caa-a0be-74b9af0bfd15","imageAlt":"Gibanica (Serbian Cheese Pie) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cheese pie","balkan food","serbian recipe","phyllo pastry","savory pie"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Gibanica (Serbian Cheese Pie)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:00:39.862Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:00:39.862Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_943b7108be","slug":"buckwheat-porridge-hrechana-kasha","title":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha)","description":"A nutritious, nutty, and comforting Eastern European staple. This fluffy buckwheat porridge is a healthy, gluten-free dish that is perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_943b7108be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7dd38cb8-7bb4-48fd-b6e8-db1d1eed0a49","imageAlt":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","gluten-free","grains","comfort food","ukrainian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2de0ebda17","slug":"classic-fried-eggs-yayechnya","title":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya)","description":"A simple and hearty Eastern European breakfast staple, perfectly fried in butter until the whites are set and the yolks remain golden and runny.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":4,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2de0ebda17%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0988b3e6-a90f-4431-b861-ac88053e5f08","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya) — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","breakfast","quick","protein","ukrainian","low carb"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"ovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b","slug":"creamy-oatmeal-ovsena-kasa","title":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša)","description":"A comforting and nourishing Eastern European breakfast staple made with rolled oats simmered in milk and water, traditionally served with a knob of butter and honey.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Slovak"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f129ec12-1f3d-4b53-b747-f42d48dcf3a2","imageAlt":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša) — recipe cover","tags":["oatmeal","porridge","healthy","warm breakfast","easy breakfast","slovak"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}