Georgian cuisine is famous for hot khachapuri, juicy meat, fragrant thick stews in clay pots. All food is hearty and natural, home-cooked. The local people pride themselves on their own cuisine and cook regularly. We are talking about the national dishes of Georgia, which will certainly conquer you!
Khinkali
No, khinkali are not larger dumplings, and Georgia will convince you of this! These are bags of thin dough stuffed with tender minced meat, cilantro, inside - a fragrant broth. As a rule, lamb and veal are the filling. Khinkali cooking is an art where the chef strictly adheres to the ratio of meat and broth. Every Georgian restaurant serves homemade khinkali, no convenience foods! Avoid places where freezing is served.
It is customary to order khinkali by the piece, as you quickly fill up with them. For a start, 3-5 pieces are enough for you. The dishes are very juicy, eat without adjika or sour cream. They need to be eaten in a special way - to pick them up with a fork, then take a bite and drink the broth. After, enjoy the rest. The ponytails themselves are not accepted.
Khachapuri
Don't miss the opportunity to taste Georgian khachapuri! It consists of unleavened dough, salted cheese, and butter is added to it. It would seem an elementary combination of ordinary products, but what a rich, unforgettable taste! Locals often use khachapuri as breakfast. You can easily find this dish in bakeries - you will feel the smell of pastries from afar: Georgian bread, samsa and much more are baked here for sale, which will not leave you indifferent.
Khachapuri is divided into several types. For example, Imeretian : it is not too salty and not too fatty, fresh cucumbers will complement it well. Megrelian khachapuri is distinguished by the fact that melted suluguni is placed on top of the flatbread. You can order khachapuri on a skewer only in special establishments - cafes, restaurants, tourist shops. This dish is usually prepared for guests only. It tastes very much like the Imeretian one. And, of course, Adjarian khachapuri deserves special attention. Most likely, you are aware that this is a boat with an egg. Best of all, it is prepared in Adjara.
Kharcho
Only Georgians cook really kharcho. In regions, the recipe may change, but the basis remains unchanged. Kharcho means thick beef soup, to which walnuts, cherry plum sour lavash, rice, vegetables, tomatoes, and sometimes tkemali sauce are added. It turns out a spicy spicy soup with herbs and garlic. Its taste is difficult to characterize succinctly: it is piquancy, sour sweetness, pungency, freshness, meaty taste.
Chakhokhbili
This is one of the most delicious Georgian chicken dishes. Chakhokhbili is a thick, savory stew, fried and then stewed chicken pieces with tomato and onion in their own juice. Before cooking, cooks add butter, spices and chopped cilantro. It is usually spicy, but you can ask not to add pepper.
Chashushuli
Chasushuli is translated from Georgian as " sharp ". As a rule, it is cooked in a traditional clay pot - ketsi . Delicate beef meat in tomatoes tastes spicy and spicy, cilantro and a lot of garlic are added there, Georgian lavash is served with the dish.
Lobio
The main ingredient in this snack is beans. Thanks to the addition of the rest of the ingredients, the dish gives a piquant taste, slightly sourness, and a spicy aroma. Lobio is made from both regular beans and green beans during the season. It is also served hot or cold. Choose according to your taste!
Mtsvadi
Meat lovers will certainly appreciate this shish kebab. What is the difference between mtsvadi and ordinary country meat from the grill? Try and compare. The secret of Georgian shish kebab is that for its preparation the meat is not marinated, but just "mined", the freshest meat is taken. It is never frozen. Crispy onions, pomegranate seeds, sauce are served to mtsvadi.
Phali
This is a whole group of dishes with different recipes. Phali is an invariable appetizer at feasts. Phali is based on vegetables or herbs. The classics of their national cuisine are appetizers from spinach, cauliflower, beets: they are scrolled in a meat grinder, sauce from walnuts, pepper and other spices is added. Phali has a sweet and sour taste, spicy notes, light pungency. Take the platter if the establishment has it on the menu!
Badrijani
This cold appetizer is made from eggplant - delicious rolls with chopped walnuts, garlic and saffron are obtained. Sometimes badrijani is served hot, then fried onions and garlic are used for its filling. Georgian bread with suluguni is perfect here.
Satsivi
This is the name of a traditional sauce made from walnuts and spices. Thanks to a skillful set of spices, satsivi has a piquant taste, and due to cilantro, freshness. Lemon juice is added for sourness. The sauce is used in different ways: for chicken, turkey and other types of meat or fish. The taste of satsivi - spicy, oily - you will remember for a long time!
Churchkhela
Despite the rich assortment of dishes, desserts are not very common in Georgia. As a sweet, you can try baklava from Adjara, jam, apples stuffed with nuts. However, churchkhela is considered the main sweetness. We advise you to try and bring home as a present for your loved ones.
Gastronomic tour
Since the national cuisine is the pride of Georgia, be sure to take a special tour to appreciate the gastronomic diversity of this country. For example, to Kakheti: here you will be welcomed very cordially. You can also go to a cooking workshop and gain a rewarding experience. Don't miss the opportunity to taste (in every sense) one of the main features of Georgia!
