{"id":"recipe_2cc3dc0d63","slug":"tkemali-georgian-plum-sauce","title":"Tkemali (Georgian Plum Sauce)","description":"A classic, tangy, and aromatic Georgian condiment made from sour plums, essential for grilled meats and roasted potatoes.","serves":20,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg sour plums (Tkemali plums)","name":"Plum","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"whole","notes":"green or red sour plums","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"8 cloves of garlic","name":"Garlic","quantity":8,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"clove","form":"clove","notes":"peeled","group":"flavorings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 large bunch fresh cilantro","name":"Cilantro","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.76,"usUnit":"oz","form":"fresh bunch","notes":"chopped","group":"herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 bunch fresh dill","name":"Dill","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.06,"usUnit":"oz","form":"fresh bunch","notes":"chopped","group":"herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 bunch fresh pennyroyal (Ombalo)","name":"Pennyroyal","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"fresh bunch","notes":"essential for authentic flavor","group":"herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp ground coriander","name":"Coriander","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tbsp blue fenugreek","name":"Blue Fenugreek","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"Utskho Suneli","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp red pepper flakes","name":"Red Pepper Flakes","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dried","notes":"adjust for heat","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"to taste","group":"flavorings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tbsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"optional, to balance acidity","group":"flavorings","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Wash the plums and place them in a large pot. Add the water and bring to a boil over medium heat.","group":"Preparation","title":"Wash the plums and place them","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the plums are very soft and the skins have burst.","group":"Cooking","title":"Simmer for about 15-20 minutes","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Drain the plums, but reserve the cooking liquid. Rub the plums through a fine sieve into a clean bowl to remove pits and skins.","group":"Preparation","title":"Drain the plums, but reserve the cooking liquid","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place the plum puree back into the pot. If it's too thick, add a small amount of the reserved cooking liquid to reach your desired sauce consistency.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the plum puree back","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Finely chop the cilantro, dill, and pennyroyal. Crush the garlic cloves into a paste.","group":"Preparation","title":"Finely chop the cilantro, dill, and pennyroyal","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the garlic paste, chopped herbs, ground coriander, blue fenugreek, red pepper flakes, salt, and sugar to the plum puree.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the garlic paste, chopped herbs, ground coriander, blue fenugreek","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Stir well and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Allow to cool completely before transferring to glass jars.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir well and simmer","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Authentic Tkemali requires 'Ombalo' (pennyroyal), which provides its signature flavor and helps preserve the sauce. If unavailable, use a mix of peppermint and dried basil. Adjust the sugar based on the tartness of your plums.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Georgian"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["pot","fine sieve","wooden spoon","garlic press","glass jars"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":900,"unit":"ml","note":"Approximate yield after straining"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare and store in sterilized jars; the flavor deepens after 24 hours."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Keep in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold or at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2cc3dc0d63%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c4a8331f-af56-42f8-bc09-7ae54fad2e81","imageAlt":"Tkemali (Georgian Plum Sauce) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tangy","plum","condiment","georgian","traditional","spicy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tkemali (Georgian Plum Sauce)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T06:09:39.756Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T06:09:39.756Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_a370768489","slug":"cranberry-sauce","title":"Cranberry Sauce","description":"A classic sweet and tart Eastern European style cranberry sauce, perfect as a vibrant accompaniment to roasted meats or festive desserts.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free","shellfish_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a370768489%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3f04a722-019a-494a-96d5-1e162086d20e","imageAlt":"Cranberry Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["cranberry","sauce","eastern european","tart","sweet","holiday side"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"sos_koperkowy_00196361f0","slug":"creamy-dill-sauce-sos-koperkowy","title":"Creamy Dill Sauce (Sos Koperkowy)","description":"A velvety, aromatic Eastern European sauce made with fresh dill and a light cream base, traditionally served over boiled potatoes, meatballs, or fish.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsos_koperkowy_00196361f0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5d2e8be7-399f-40aa-9f32-5280466e00fc","imageAlt":"Creamy Dill Sauce (Sos Koperkowy) — recipe cover","tags":["dill","creamy","polish","traditional","herb sauce"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_7b6cf91817","slug":"creamy-mushroom-sauce","title":"Creamy Mushroom Sauce","description":"A rich, velvety Eastern European style mushroom sauce made with fresh mushrooms, sautéed onions, and a touch of sour cream. Perfect for pairing with potato pancakes, dumplings, or roasted meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7b6cf91817%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dafaecd3-a559-400b-a10d-2ef1cc4d092b","imageAlt":"Creamy Mushroom Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["mushroom","creamy","sauce","eastern european","savory","dill"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6}]}