Christmas Cooking Workshop: Traditional Bulgarian Sarmi & Homemade Tikvenik

Best enjoyed in groups of 3–4 people

In this festive cooking workshop, we’ll explore Bulgarian Christmas traditions and prepare two of the most beloved dishes found on the holiday table – homemade sarmi (stuffed cabbage rolls) and tikvenik (traditional Bulgarian pumpkin pastry) with hand-stretched dough.

We’ll work together, master traditional techniques, and discover the little secrets that turn simple ingredients into an essential part of the Christmas celebration.

Description

This time, we won’t simply follow recipes. We’ll recreate some of the magic of Christmas preparations – those special moments when the whole family gathers in the kitchen and everyone has their own little task.

We’ll work in teams, share techniques and traditions, and finally sit down together to enjoy everything we’ve prepared.

We recommend joining in groups of 3–4 people – with family or friends – to turn Christmas cooking into a memorable shared experience.

Because the best Christmas traditions aren’t just about the recipes, but about the people we prepare them with.

Traditional Bulgarian Sarmi

We’ll begin with one of the most iconic dishes of the Bulgarian Christmas Eve table – aromatic stuffed cabbage rolls.

We’ll prepare the filling entirely from scratch, combining rice, onions, and traditional spices, and learn how to properly prepare the cabbage leaves. Everyone will take part in rolling and shaping the sarmi before arranging and cooking them to achieve tender leaves, a juicy filling, and a rich, homemade flavor.

Homemade Hand-Stretched Tikvenik

What would a Bulgarian Christmas table be without the comforting aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon?

We’ll explore the secrets of traditional pastry dough and master one of the most fascinating techniques in Bulgarian cuisine – stretching the dough by hand into delicate, paper-thin sheets.

We’ll prepare a sweet filling of pumpkin, cinnamon, sugar, and walnuts, spread it over the delicate pastry, and shape it into beautiful rolls.

Once baked, we’ll enjoy a golden, crispy crust and a soft, fragrant filling – exactly what a proper homemade tikvenik should be.