World Flavors Cookbook

Georgia Recipes

Georgian cuisine is a feast for the senses, famous for its unique supra (feast) culture, ancient wine traditions, and the iconic khachapuri cheese bread. It blends Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with indigenous Caucasian ingredients like walnuts, pomegranates, and a vast array of fresh herbs.

Recipes from Georgia

• Khachapuri (Adjarian Boat-Style)

  The world-famous boat-shaped cheese bread from the Adjara region, topped with a runny egg and a knob of butter.

• Khinkali (Georgian Soup Dumplings)

  Juicy, pleated dumplings filled with spiced meat and a rich broth that forms inside during cooking.

• Mtsvadi (Georgian Shashlik)

  Succulent chunks of pork or lamb grilled over grapevine embers, traditionally served with onions and pomegranate seeds.

• Churchkhela

  Georgia's favorite natural candy—strings of walnuts or hazelnuts dipped into a thick, concentrated grape juice jelly.

• Lobio (Bean Stew)

  A thick, fragrant red bean stew flavored with walnuts, garlic, and fresh herbs, traditionally served in a clay pot.

• Pkhali (Vegetable and Walnut Pâté)

  Finely minced vegetables mixed with a rich paste of walnuts, garlic, vinegar, and Georgian spices.

• Ajapsandali (Georgian Ratatouille)

  A vibrant summer stew of eggplants, bell peppers, and tomatoes, cooked with lots of garlic and fresh purple basil.

• Badrijani Nigvzit (Eggplant Rolls with Walnuts)

  Fried eggplant strips rolled around a savory, spicy walnut and garlic filling.

• Chakhokhbili (Chicken Stew with Herbs)

  A rustic chicken stew cooked in a thick tomato and onion sauce with an abundance of fresh herbs.

• Chakapuli (Lamb and Tarragon Stew)

  An aromatic spring stew made with tender lamb, green plums, and massive amounts of fresh tarragon.

• Satsivi (Chicken in Walnut Sauce)

  Poultry served in a rich, thick, and highly aromatic walnut sauce, traditionally served cold.

• Kharcho (Beef and Walnut Soup)

  A thick, spicy beef soup with rice, walnuts, and a signature sour base from dried plum tklapi.

• Shkmeruli (Garlic Chicken)

  Crispy fried chicken served in a decadently rich and creamy garlic sauce.

• Mchadi (Georgian Cornbread)

  Simple, dense cornbread pancakes made from only three ingredients, perfect for serving with lobio and cheese.

• Khachapuri (Imeretian)

  The most common type of cheese bread—a circular flatbread filled with melting Georgian cheese.

• Kubdari (Meat-Filled Bread)

  A specialty from the high mountains of Svaneti—a hearty yeast bread stuffed with spiced minced meat.

• Elarji (Cheesy Corn Porridge)

  A decadent specialty from Samegrelo—coarse cornmeal cooked with massive amounts of Sulguni cheese until it becomes incredibly stretchy.

• Tkemali (Georgian Plum Sauce)

  The definitive Georgian condiment—a sour, spicy, and herb-filled plum sauce used on everything from meat to potatoes.

• Adjika (Spicy Pepper Paste)

  A fierce, aromatic pepper paste from Abkhazia and Samegrelo, used as a seasoning or dip.

• Georgian Matzoon (Yogurt)

  The ancient fermented milk product of the Caucasus, used as a base for many dishes and a refreshing drink.

• Gozinaki (Walnut and Honey Brittle)

  A traditional New Year's confection made of toasted walnuts cooked in honey.

• Sinori (Adjarian Pasta with Cheese)

  A unique dish of dried flatbread rolls soaked in a mixture of garlic, matzoon, and butter.

• Nadughi with Mint

  Creamy Georgian cottage cheese mixed with fresh mint and wrapped in thin sheets of Sulguni cheese.

• Gebzhalia (Minty Cheese Rolls)

  A Megrelian delicacy—freshly made, soft Sulguni cheese rolls filled with mint and served in a creamy, minty matzoon sauce.

• Jonjoli (Pickled Bladdernut Flowers)

  A unique Georgian pickle made from the sprouts of the bladdernut bush, served with oil and onions.

• Lavash Wrap with Cheese and Greens

  The everyday Georgian snack—thin lavash wrapped around salty cheese and bunches of fresh tarragon and green onion.

• Kaurma (Meat Stew)

  A simple, hearty meat stew slow-cooked with onions and a few choice spices.

• Bazhe (Walnut Sauce)

  The everyday version of satsivi sauce—a cold, creamy walnut sauce used for fish, chicken, or vegetables.

• Mchadi with Cheese (Gvezeli)

  Cornbread patties with a piece of melting cheese tucked inside.

• Ostri (Spicy Beef Stew)

  A hot and spicy beef stew with tomatoes, peppers, and garlic, served bubbling hot.