Kharcho – Georgian Beef Walnut Rice Soup | eSoupRecipes
Kharcho is something of a national dish in the Democratic Republic of Georgia. The country doesn’t get a lot of food props but I’m predicting that Georgian cuisine will be a hot item in the next year or two. The flavors are both familiar and foreign but different enough to have a real identity. Kharcho is a terrific introduction to the culinary approaches of Georgia.
Kharcho is a meat soup (beef or lamb) with rice that is thickened with crushed walnuts and finished with a bevy of fresh herbs. If you think using walnuts in soup is weird, one bite of Kharcho will change your mind. The walnuts give the broth additional richness and body and really complete the soup. This recipe calls for 1/4 cup crushed walnuts, and I think you’d be fine using a bit more if you want your soup on the thicker side.
The recipe is essentially the same as the one for Kharcho (Georgian Beef-Walnut Soup with fresh herbs). After looking at several versions of Kharcho, this one had the greatest appeal and gave me the opportunity to use two of the more exotic ingredients in my cupboard: fenugreek powder and tamarind paste. Many recipes offer substitute ingredients for hard-to-find items, but I strongly advise purchasing fenugreek and tamarind paste. Fenugreek powder has a very dusty texture, much like turmeric powder, but it smells almost like maple syrup. It’s different than any spice I’ve used before. Tamarind has a citrus-y sourness that does a remarkable job of both bringing out the flavors of the tomatoes here as well as providing a bright accent that couldn’t be matched using lemon juice, for instance.
The main difference between my version of Kharcho and the one mentioned above is minor: Instead of cooking a single piece of beef, like a brisket, in broth; I used stew beef, two beef soup bones and added a couple bay leaves. This is an herb-y soup, and a great way to combine your favorite bunches of herbs into one dish. Cilantro and parsley are traditionally used, and other herbs such as dill, tarragon or mint are often included, too. I chose a trio of cilantro, parsley and dill and had fantastic results. Although tarragon or mint would also be great.
This is a spectacularly good soup and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Kharcho – Georgian Beef Walnut Rice Soup
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