12 Georgian dishes worth tasting
Local cuisine is a big part of the culture. We always love to try the typical dishes of the country in which they fell. These 10 dishes must be tried by a traveler, being in a hospitable and good-natured Georgia.
Among the dishes presented, everyone will be able to choose something to his taste, and in addition to gastronomic sensations, they will give an opportunity to get a better feel of the culture and traditions of this amazing people.
1. Khachapuri
Khachapuri is one of the most popular and traditional Georgian dishes. This is sticky cheese bread, which is a bit like pizza. There are three types of khachapuri. The standard is Khachapuri. There are also Khachapuri Megruli with cheese added on top, and Khachapuri Ajarili, which is made from hot obese bread with cheese melted in the middle and topped with pieces of butter and a broken egg. Once it is served, you should beat the ingredients with a fork until the egg and butter are completely mixed with the mass of cheese.
2. Khinkali
Khinkali is another significant Georgian dish. This is reminiscent of dumplings with soup, which can be found in China, but they have a different taste, thanks to the special use of Georgian spices. Khinkali are skillfully twisted dough pieces stuffed with lamb with spices, pork or beef. They are served boiled or steamed.
3. Churchkhela
Traditional Georgian candy. The main ingredients are almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts or sometimes raisins, which are strung on a string. The string is repeatedly dipped in a concentrated fresh grape juice, which dries in a chewable gelatin-like shell around the nuts. Served with coffee.
4. Badrigani Nigvzit (Georgian Eggplants)
Badrijani Nigzvit – Georgian eggplant rolls with walnuts (sometimes mixed with garlic). It tastes sweet and salty at the same time.
5. Lobio
Lobio (in Georgian means “beans”) is a soup with a mixture of beans and various types of boiled or stewed beans. Tastes vary depending on whether it is cooked with coriander, walnuts, garlic or onions. There are many types of lobio, depending on the region in which you are located.
6. Lobiani
You can see the similarity of the word Lobio with Lobiani, because Lobiani is bean bread. This is similar to Imeruli khachapuri, but with beans instead of cheese. The combination is strange, but very tasty. Bread is baked in a wood-burning oven, and when you bite it, you first feel the crispy texture of the bread, then the spicy, bacon-flavored beans.
7. Mtsvadi (shish kebab)
Mtsvadi, also called the dish of kings, is an unusual dish. Preparation in itself is a ritual. Mtsvadi, made from slices of pork, lamb or veal, is first richly pickled in pomegranate juice or rubbed in a good dose of salt before strung on a skewer and fried over an open fire. Warning: after eating this tender and juicy meat, you will definitely want to drink. Much and often.
8. Satsivi
Sacivi is a chicken dish served with a thick sauce containing onions, garlic, walnuts, spices and herbs. This dish should be cooked in advance and cooled 24 hours before serving. It has a special taste, especially when some coriander is added.
9. Kuchmachi
It is better to try kuchmachi first, and then find out what it is made of … Kuchmachis are a traditional dish cooked with heart, liver, kidneys, spleen and sometimes pork lungs, young beef or chicken. The dish is often served with walnuts and decorated with pomegranate seeds.
10. Kharcho
Kharcho is a traditional Georgian beef soup made from chopped walnuts, rice, prune puree and often served with coriander. The soup has a blend of spices, which depends on the region of Georgia, where it is cooked. This is a hearty meal and definitely good food for a cold winter night (which are often in Georgia).
11. Tkemali
Themeli is a sour plum sauce, which is often served with cheese, meat or even fish dishes. Every family has a jar of this sauce in their house. It has a sour taste.
12. Puri (Shotis Puri)
Puri means bread in Georgian (remember hach-puri). You can often see people walking with several loaves of this huge canoe shaped cake. Puri is baked in a special bakery, in which there is a “tone”, a traditional clay oven, in which bread is baked. Puri pulls soiled, with brown edges from the oven, and crisp and soft. Very tasty in combination with salty Georgian cheeses!
