10 MUST EAT DISHES IN GEORGIA
One of the best things we love about travelling is discovering the unique food that each country offers.
There’s a good reason that Georgia is known as the food capital of Caucasus: the range of produce is phenomenal – from excellent cheese to beautifully crafted grilled meat and wines. It’s packed with great places to eat, cool restaurants and bars and the vibrant Georgian Market – a culinary rollercoaster through some of the county’s best foods. So bring your appetite and get stuck in…
Remember that wherever you go in Georgia, you’ll naturally find fabulous food and drink, but you’ll also hear stories of the passionate people who rear, make, cook, distill and serve these feasts to your table.
So, lets go…
1.Khachapuri
Khachapuri is the main food and holds a special place in Georgian gastronomical culture. It is a kind of ritual dish you can hardly find in Georgian feast without khachapuri. It is permanently accompanies celebrations, is also an appetizer, dish and dessert; it is timeless and can be eaten everywhere and whenever you wish.
Every Georgian region is famous for its own khachapuri; families have their secret recipes and every family asserts that their recipe is the tastiest and most unique – a kind of family pride passed down from their grandmas.
There are 3 types of Khachapuri: Adjarian, Imeretian and Megrelian
2.Khinkali
Khinkali is a very popular Georgian dumpling made of twisted knobs of dough, stuffed with meat and spices. It is considered to be one of the national dishes of Georgia. Different regions of Georgia make khinkali with different fillings.
The most popular filling is a pork or beef mix. In the mountains, khinkali is often made with a lamb filling. Fillings can also include Imeretian cheese mixed with cottage cheese; mushrooms; and mashed potato. City versions include kalakuri khinkali (with thinly chopped parsley) and khevsuruli khinkali (without parsley).
3.Eggplants with walnuts
Edible greens with walnuts is characteristic of Georgian cuisine. They are served at every celebration and party. The most popular edible green is eggplant with walnuts, spinach and red Mkhali (a type of edible green).
4.Pkhali : favorite Georgian Appetizer
Pkhali is a traditional Georgian dish which comes in many forms and colors. It’s usually made with different vegetable, fresh herbs, garlic, and of course plenty of walnuts.
Almost any vegetable can be used to make pkhali, meaning that there are hundreds of variations of this dish. The most common are made from spinach, beets, or green beans. With its creaminess from the walnut sauce; a tart, tangy flavor from the vinegar; and a kick from the spices.
6.Kharcho: traditional Georgian soup
Also spelled as Harcho is a traditional Georgian soup containing beef, rice, cherry plum purée and chopped walnuts. Tthe soup is exceptionally delicious and has a characteristic rich flavor thanks to the spice mix that goes in it. To balance out the richness of the soup sour plum sauce called Tkemali is traditionally added, which can be substituted by tomato puree or red wine vinegar. For a cold, wintry day I can’t think of a much better dish than a bowl of this delicious soup.
7.Chikhirtma: chicken soup
Chikhirtma is a delicious chicken soup from eastern Georgia. It is a nice blend of chicken broth, vinegar, eggs, spices and greens. The soup has a slightly sour taste and a cream-like consistency. To ensure thick consistency you should follow this technique exactly. Usually it is consumed hot and it is recommended to garnish it with freshly chopped coriander.. Chikhirtma is a flavorful and hearty Georgian soup that is believed to be a great hangover cure.
8.Ostri : beef in sauce
Ostri is a hot, spicy beef stew that is very popular in Georgia, both as a home prepared meal and as a dish in restaurants.
9.Shkhmeruli : chicken in garlic sauce
Shkmeruli is a chicken dish and originally comes from the village of Shkmeri, Racha region of Georgia. Chicken in a special spicy sauce with garlic and milk, often cooked on a clay pan.
10.Chashushuli
Chashushuli is a hearty beef and tomato stew hailing from Georgia. The stew is typically made with a combination of beef (sometimes veal or pork), tomatoes, onions, water or meat broth, mushrooms, garlic, and a generous amount of spices and herbs such as basil, chili pepper, parsley, fenugreek, summer savory, and bay leaves, yielding a highly aromatic and flavor-packed dish.
