{"id":"zurek_031d96b153","slug":"zurek-polish-sour-rye-soup","title":"Żurek (Polish Sour Rye Soup)","description":"A traditional, hearty Eastern European soup characterized by its unique tangy flavor from fermented rye flour, enriched with smoked meats, white sausage, and finished with creamy horseradish and hard-boiled eggs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1.5 liters meat or vegetable stock","name":"Vegetable Stock","quantity":1.5,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.6,"usUnit":"quart","form":"liquid","notes":"Meat or vegetable","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500 ml Zakwas (fermented rye starter)","name":"Rye Starter","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"fermented liquid","notes":"Available in Polish delis","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"150g smoked bacon, diced","name":"Bacon","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"diced","notes":"Smoked","group":"Meats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"4 white sausages (biała kiełbasa)","name":"White Sausage","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"Traditional Polish biała kiełbasa","group":"Meats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"Yellow onion","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"3 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tablespoon dried marjoram","name":"Marjoram","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tablespoon prepared horseradish","name":"Horseradish","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"prepared","notes":"Adjust to taste for spice","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"100 ml heavy cream or sour cream","name":"Sour Cream","quantity":100,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Heavy or sour cream","group":"Finishing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"4 hard-boiled eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"hard-boiled","notes":"Halved for serving","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"Salt and black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"To taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add the whole white sausages and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.","group":"Base Preparation","title":"Bring the stock to a boil","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Base Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the sausages are simmering, sauté the diced bacon in a frying pan until it starts to brown. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.","group":"Sauté","title":"While the sausages are simmering, sauté the diced bacon","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Sauté"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Remove the sausages from the stock and set them aside to cool slightly. Add the sautéed bacon and onion mixture to the pot.","group":"Assembly","title":"Remove the sausages from the stock and set them aside","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Shake the bottle of zakwas (rye starter) and pour it into the boiling stock, stirring constantly. Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer for 5-10 minutes as it thickens.","group":"Souring","title":"Shake the bottle of zakwas","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Souring"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Slice the cooled sausages into rounds and return them to the pot. Stir in the marjoram, horseradish, and cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.","group":"Finishing","title":"Slice the cooled sausages","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Serve the soup hot in bowls, garnished with halved hard-boiled eggs.","group":"Serving","title":"Serve the soup hot","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"The soul of this soup is the 'zakwas' (fermented rye starter). If you can't find it store-bought, it can be made at home over 5 days using rye flour and water. Always add the marjoram at the very end to preserve its herbal aroma.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute","boil"],"equipment":["large pot","frying pan","knife"],"diet":["high_protein","flexitarian"],"allergens":["gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"bowl","note":"Generous servings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The flavor improves the next day. The zakwas can be kept in the fridge for weeks before use."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat slowly on the stovetop. If it thickens too much, add a splash of stock."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fzurek_031d96b153%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=cb73c084-43ae-4ef5-b50f-9d67ed53c72d","imageAlt":"Żurek (Polish Sour Rye Soup) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["soup","traditional","tangy","rye","polish","savory"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Żurek (Polish Sour Rye Soup)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:57:00.359Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:57:00.359Z","related":[{"id":"cesnecka_3c0664ee63","slug":"cesnecka-czech-garlic-soup","title":"Česnečka (Czech Garlic Soup)","description":"A restorative and punchy Czech garlic soup, traditionally served with crispy croutons and melted cheese. Known for its healing properties, it's a comforting staple of Eastern European cuisine.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Czech"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcesnecka_3c0664ee63%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f94edd5a-d39d-486a-aee1-63c98bcf6625","imageAlt":"Česnečka (Czech Garlic Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["garlic","soup","czech","comfort food","healthy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_2fc55d4412","slug":"authentic-ukrainian-borscht","title":"Authentic Ukrainian Borscht","description":"A vibrant, hearty, and deeply comforting Ukrainian national dish. This ruby-red beet soup is packed with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and finished with fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":70,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":40},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2fc55d4412%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5d813228-0e9d-4062-b687-2552b83c53fa","imageAlt":"Authentic Ukrainian Borscht — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","beetroot","soup","traditional","comfort food","vibrant"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":7},{"id":"ciorba_de_burta_62fdf7bcb5","slug":"ciorba-de-burta","title":"Ciorbă de burtă","description":"A velvety, rich, and tangy Romanian tripe soup, celebrated for its creamy texture, intense garlic aroma, and distinctive yellow hue.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":120,"totalMinutes":150,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Romanian"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fciorba_de_burta_62fdf7bcb5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=288d19f6-197f-4d2a-8ae0-1ee3ee338371","imageAlt":"Ciorbă de burtă — recipe cover","tags":["tripe","creamy","sour soup","traditional","romanian","garlic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":5}]}