{"id":"yaprak_sarma_db455aec79","slug":"yaprak-sarma","title":"Yaprak Sarma","description":"A classic Mediterranean delicacy consisting of tender grape leaves wrapped around a fragrant mixture of rice, aromatic herbs, and spices, simmered to perfection in olive oil and lemon juice.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g grape leaves (brined or fresh)","name":"Grape leaves","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"brined or fresh","notes":"If using jarred, rinse thoroughly in warm water; if fresh, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes","group":"Wrapper","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 1/2 cups short-grain rice","name":"Rice","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"short-grain","notes":"Baldo or Osmancık variety preferred","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 large onions","name":"Onion","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"yellow onions","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cup extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"extra virgin","notes":"Divided use: 1/2 cup for filling, 1/2 cup for cooking","group":"Filling & Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tablespoons pine nuts","name":"Pine Nuts","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"raw","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tablespoons currants","name":"Currants","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried","notes":"Soak in warm water for 10 minutes then drain","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 teaspoon dried mint","name":"Mint","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dried","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 teaspoon ground allspice","name":"Allspice","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"Adjust to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1/2 teaspoon black pepper","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 large lemons","name":"Lemon","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"About 4 tbsp juice","group":"Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 1/2 cups boiling water","name":"Boiling Water","quantity":350,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"boiling","notes":"For cooking the rolls","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil in a large pan. Add the chopped onions and pine nuts. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent, and pine nuts are lightly golden.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Heat 1/2 cup olive oil","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the washed rice to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the currants, mint, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Add 1/2 cup of water, cover, and simmer until the water is absorbed but the rice is still slightly firm. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Add the washed rice","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Lay a grape leaf flat on a work surface, vein side up. Remove the stem. Place about one teaspoon of the rice mixture near the stem end. Fold the bottom over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up tightly like a small cigar.","group":"Assembly","title":"Lay a grape leaf flat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Line the bottom of a heavy pot with a few damaged grape leaves. Arrange the rolled sarmas tightly in layers in the pot. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil and lemon juice. Add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water.","group":"Cooking","title":"Line the bottom of a heavy pot","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place an inverted heat-proof plate directly on top of the sarmas to keep them from unrolling. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook on low heat for 45 minutes or until the leaves are tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place an inverted heat-proof plate directly","timerMinutes":45,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Best served cold or at room temperature. For the best flavor, let them rest in the pot until completely cooled to absorb all the cooking liquid. Serve with extra lemon wedges and optional thick yogurt.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute"],"equipment":["Heavy-bottomed pot","Large skillet","Heat-proof plate"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":["tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":50,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 50-60 rolls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Sarma tastes significantly better the next day after the flavors have melded."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a little bit of the cooking oil to keep them moist.","reheatingNotes":"Traditionally served cold, but can be brought to room temperature before serving."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fyaprak_sarma_db455aec79%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7b06f2c1-700a-4f75-884b-5444a122ea61","imageAlt":"Yaprak Sarma — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["stuffed leaves","rice filled","vegan","healthy","turkish food","mezze"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Yaprak Sarma","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:55:43.000Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:55:43.000Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}