Kharcho (ხარჩო)
Overview
Kharcho is a traditional Georgian soup of beef, rice and ground walnuts, given its distinctive sourness by tkemali, a tart plum sauce, or by dried sour plums. It is flavoured with garlic, coriander and the Georgian spice blend khmeli suneli, often with a little chilli. The walnuts make the broth slightly thick and nutty. Plenty of fresh coriander goes on top. It is a warming, aromatic soup that is popular throughout Georgia and was widely known across the former Soviet Union.
History
Kharcho comes from the Megrelia region of western Georgia, where it was originally a thick dish of beef with walnut sauce. Over time it became better known as a soup with rice, especially as it spread through Soviet cafeterias and restaurants. It remains one of the best-known Georgian dishes, alongside khachapuri and khinkali, and is served in Georgian restaurants abroad.
Main ingredients
Beef, rice, tkemali (sour plum sauce), walnuts, garlic, khmeli suneli spices. The soup is built on beef broth and is usually served hot. Diet: contains meat; usually gluten-free.
Explore: Beef soups · Rice soups · More soups from Georgia
Recipe
Method
- 190 min
Simmer the beef in 2.5 l water for about 90 minutes, skimming.
- 215 min
Add the rice and cook for 15 minutes.
- 310 min
Stir in walnuts, garlic, tkemali and spices and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 4
Season and serve with plenty of coriander.
- ✓
Serve. About 2h 20m from start to bowl.
Pictures
Sources
Description, history and recipe written by SoupWiki and checked against the sources above. Calories and times are rough estimates.
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