Soup "Kharcho" - Traditional Georgian Dish/Харчо из баранины

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and pork is often less expensive.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: peanuts

Sunflower seeds provide a similar texture, while peanuts are more budget-friendly.

sour plum

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice adds acidity, while vinegar is often more accessible.

tomato paste

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can reduce preservatives, while canned options are economical.

Prepare stock by placing lamb, onion, carrot, bay leaves, black pepper, and coriander seeds in a pot.

Pour in cold water to the pot, filling to the buttons on the handles.

Place pot on stove and bring to a boil, then skim off any foam that forms on top.

Add a tablespoon of salt and reduce heat to let it simmer for an hour.

Grate tomatoes using a sharp side grater, discarding the skins.

Dice onion into fine cubes and set aside.

Chop cilantro and set aside.

Cut sour plums into small cubes.

Grate carrots using a julienne grater.

In a separate pan, heat a couple tablespoons of avocado oil, add onions and sauté until slightly browned.

Add grated carrots to the pan and sauté for a couple more minutes, then set aside.

Check on the stock, discard the vegetables used for flavoring, and remove the meat to cut into small pieces later.

Strain the stock using a colander or strainer and return it to the pot.

When stock starts to simmer, add grated tomatoes, then add rice carefully to avoid thickening the soup too much.

Add sautéed carrots and onions, chili paste, sour plums, and two tablespoons of plum sauce.

Let soup simmer for about 20 minutes until rice is cooked.

Return cut lamb meat to the soup, add Georgian spice mix and cumin seeds, rubbing them between palms for more flavor.

Season with salt and pepper, and optionally cayenne pepper for more spice.

Add chopped cilantro, turn off the heat, and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve soup in rustic bowls, garnished with slices of plums and fresh cilantro, with pita or lavash on the side.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens