Georgian dishes

© Merab Beradze, 2016

© Lia Beridze, translation, 2016

© Yuri Mechitov, photos, 2016

Editor Amiran Melua

Created with intellectual publishing system Ridero

Fresh Herbs

Basil – Rekhani

Celery – Niakhuri

Cilantro – Kindzi

Dill – Kama

Mint – Pitna

Parsley – Okhrakhushi

Summer Savory – Kondari

Dried Herbs & Spices

Cinnamon – Darichini

Cloves – Mikhaki

Coriander – Kindzi

Fenugreek – Utskho Suneli

Marigold – Imeruli Shaprani

Indian Caraway – Dira

Products:

1 turkey

400 g onions

1 tablespoon dry coriander

1 tablespoon utskho suneli

4—5 cloves garlic

1 hot pepper

2 tablespoon pounded saffron (“yellow flower”)

450—500 g dry walnuts

2—3 tables spoon vinegar

2 eggs

Salt, clove and cinnamon to taste

It is truly believed that no Georgian table, especially a festal one, can do without satsivi. So let satsivi introduce you to the Georgian cuisine!

Put a fat well-cleaned turkey into a big saucepan and cover it with water. Close the cover, put the saucepan on the stove and cook for 30—40 min., often removing the scum, until the turkey is ready. Put the turkey on a wooden or enamelled board and salt it from inside and outside. Put the turkey into the stove and cook until the skin turns red. Remove fat from the broth left in the saucepan. Pour half glass of the fat over fine-shredded onions and stew them on a pan until the onion turns pink. Pour broth into the mass and cook for 10—15 min.

Separately prepare the seasoning: pound dry walnuts, dilute them in half glass of vinegar, add pounded dry coriander, utskho suneli (dry spices), saffron, garlic, and pepper and mix. Pass the mass through a sieve, pour it into the broth and boil on a low fire for approx. 20 min, stirring constantly. Let the broth cool, pour in 2 yolks beat up in a spoon of vinegar and stir to prevent the yolk from curdling. Then cut the turkey into pieces, put into a deep dish and pour over the satsivi sauce and some walnut oil.

If you follow the instructions properly, you will have the essence of the Georgian table – His Majesty the Satsivi, so inviting and tasty! True, it takes time to cook satsivi, but it will really enrich your table and everybody is sure to love it!

Enjoy with “Tsinandali” wine.

Products:

50 g walnuts

50 g onions

2 cloves garlic

1 sprig dill

3—4 pomegranates

1 red pepper

Mince walnuts, onions, garlic, coriander, dill, and red peppers; add salt and mix thoroughly. Boil some water, cool it, mix with pomegranate juice, and add in the minced seasoning. Pour in some walnut oil.

Products:

1 kg fatty mutton / lamb meat with bones

1/2 kg onions

1 bunch estragon

Coriander and parsley, 5 sprigs each

1 teas glass fresh tkemali

2 glasses white wine

Pepper and salt to taste

Take fat mutton or lamb meat with bones, cut it into small pieces and put into a saucepan. Pour in some water to cover the meat and cook on a slow fire, then add shredded onions and stew. Add shredded parsley, coriander, estragon, cook for approx. 5 min. and put in some fresh tkemali. When the tkemali is done, pour in some white wine and season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy with “Tsinandali” wine or “Mukuzani”

Products:

1 hen, approx. 800—900 g

4 eggs

2 tablespoons vinegar

4—5 bulbs onions