{"id":"sarma_e2dc4ca956","slug":"sarma","title":"Sarma","description":"A classic Eastern European comfort food featuring tender fermented cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory blend of ground meats, rice, and traditional spices, slow-simmered with smoked meat for a deep, smoky flavor.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":135,"totalMinutes":180,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 large head of pickled cabbage (sauerkraut)","name":"Cabbage","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"pickled head","notes":"approx. 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb","group":"Wrapper","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g ground pork","name":"Ground Pork","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500g ground beef","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"150g white rice","name":"White Rice","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"uncooked","notes":"washed","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 large onions, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"yellow onions","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"200g smoked bacon or ribs","name":"Bacon","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced or chunks","notes":"smoked for flavor","group":"Cooking Liquid & Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tbsp sweet paprika","name":"Paprika","quantity":14,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"sweet Hungarian style","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":32,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"diluted in water","group":"Cooking Liquid & Base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Separate the cabbage leaves from the head. Carefully trim the thick central vein (rib) of each leaf so it is thin and flexible. Save any small or torn leaves and shred them for the base.","group":"Preparation","title":"Separate the cabbage leaves from the head","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large skillet, sauté the onions in a little oil until translucent. Add the minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of paprika, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.","group":"Filling","title":"In a large skillet, sauté the onions","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, washed rice, the sautéed onion mixture, the remaining paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well by hand until thoroughly combined.","group":"Filling","title":"Combine the ground pork, ground beef, washed rice, the sautéed onion mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place a leaf in your palm, add about 2 tablespoons of filling. Fold the sides inward and roll tightly. Repeat until filling is gone.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place a leaf in your palm","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Layer the bottom of a large heavy pot with the shredded cabbage scraps. Arrange the stuffed rolls tightly in layers, tucking pieces of smoked bacon or ribs between them. Mix tomato paste with water and pour over the rolls until they are completely submerged. Simmer gently at about 95°C (203°F) for 2 to 2.5 hours.","group":"Cooking","title":"Layer the bottom of a large heavy pot","timerMinutes":150,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Using whole heads of fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) is traditional for the best flavor. If using fresh cabbage, blanch the leaves in vinegar-water first to make them pliable. Sarma tastes even better the next day.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","slowCook"],"equipment":["large heavy-bottomed pot","skillet","mixing bowl"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"piece","note":"Approximately 24 stuffed rolls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Sarma is excellent for make-ahead. It reheats perfectly and the flavors develop over time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in the cooking liquid in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave with some of the sauce to prevent drying."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsarma_e2dc4ca956%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7a99005d-85d3-4af8-9418-586270a91b4b","imageAlt":"Sarma — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cabbage rolls","stuffed","meat","traditional","comfort food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sarma","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:11:59.488Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:11:59.488Z","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}]}