Kharcho
Kharcho is a traditional Georgian soup usually made of meat, rice, tomatoes and spices. Of course in every region in Georgia it is prepared differently. You can improvise by using different meats like lamb or chicken, adding crushed walnuts, hot paprika or some Tkemali sauce. In any case the result is just delicious, and no supra will skip this dish as part of its menu
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Preparation time: 1 1/2 hr.
Difficulty level: Easy
Servings: 10
Ingredients
Preparation
500g (1 lb. 2 oz.) beef shoulder
2 onions
2 carrots
1/2 cup long-grain rice
1 cup tomato paste
2 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup walnuts
1 tbsp. ground coriander seeds
1/2 tsp. ground fenugreek
2 tsps. sweet Hungarian paprika
2 tsps. dried chili flakes (optional)
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
olive oil
salt
pepper
Cut the meat into chunks of 2.5cm (1"). Dice the onions and the carrots.
In a Dutch oven or a pot heat 3 tbsps. of oil on a medium-high heat.
Add the onions and sauté 2-3 minutes until translucent.
Add the carrots and sauté 2 minutes more.
Add the beef and sauté for another 5 minutes until browned.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, add 1/2 cup of water and cook covered, stirring from time to time.
After 20 minutes add another 1/2 cup of water and keep cooking for another 20 mins.
Add the rice, tomato paste, and the bay leaves.
Add 1.5 L water, bring to a boil on high heat and then reduce the heat to low and continue cooking uncovered for another 20 mins., then add crushed garlic, crushed walnuts and the dry spices including salt and pepper to taste.
Cook for another 15 mins., then add the cilantro (finely chopped) and remove from heat.
Serve hot.