{"id":"mamaliga_1702faeed3","slug":"mamaliga-traditional-romanian-cornmeal-porridge","title":"Mămăligă (Traditional Romanian Cornmeal Porridge)","description":"A comforting and versatile staple of Eastern European cuisine, this golden cornmeal porridge is naturally gluten-free and can be served soft as a breakfast porridge or firm enough to slice.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 liter water","name":"Water","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":4.2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"250g yellow cornmeal","name":"Cornmeal","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"yellow, medium-grind","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"30g unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"unsalted","notes":"optional, for richness","group":"finish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring 1 l (4.2 cup) of water and 5 g (1 tsp) of salt to a rolling boil over high heat.","group":"Preparation","title":"Bring 1 l of water and 5 g of salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly pour the 250 g (1 1/2 cup) of cornmeal into the water in a steady stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce the heat to medium-low","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Continue to cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. The porridge will thicken significantly and should eventually pull away from the sides of the pot.","group":"Cooking","title":"Continue to cook","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the 30 g (2.1 oz) of butter if using, mixing until fully melted and incorporated.","group":"Finish","title":"Stir in the 30 g of butter if","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finish"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Turn the mămăligă out onto a large wooden board or a flat plate. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.","group":"Serving","title":"Turn the mămăligă out","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a more authentic texture, use a heavy-bottomed cast iron pot (ceaun). Traditionally, it is served with a dollop of sour cream and crumbled feta-style cheese (telemea). To slice firm mămăligă, use a piece of clean sewing thread rather than a knife for the cleanest cut.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Romanian","Moldovan"]},"course":["main","side"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Heavy-bottomed pot","Whisk","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_fat"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Mamaliga can be made ahead and allowed to set until firm. Once cold, slice it and pan-fry the slices in butter until golden."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, add a splash of water or milk and microwave, or slice and fry.","reheatingNotes":"Pan-frying cold slices is the best way to enjoy leftovers."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmamaliga_1702faeed3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3650b3d1-fd48-4599-8b12-c316a12a3060","imageAlt":"Mămăligă (Traditional Romanian Cornmeal Porridge) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cornmeal","porridge","gluten-free","traditional","romanian","cheap-eats","healthy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Mămăligă (Traditional Romanian Cornmeal Porridge)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:01:58.245Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:01:58.245Z","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}]}