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Badrijani is a heavily spiced Georgian dish consisting of eggplant slices that are coated with walnut paste, then shaped into small rolls. The eggplant slices are fried before serving, while the spread is prepared by combining ground walnuts, garlic, and fresh coriander.
When served, the assembled rolls are arranged on a plate and topped with pomegranate seeds.
MOST ICONIC Badrijani
White mushrooms à la Hutsul is a traditional dish originating from the western parts of the country. The dish is usually made with a combination of white mushrooms, onions, butter, cream, flour, hard cheese, salt, and pepper. The mushrooms are boiled and cut into smaller pieces.
The onions are chopped and fried in butter until golden. The mushrooms are added to the pan, the mixture is seasoned with salt and pepper, and it's fried for a few more minutes. The mushroom-onion mixture is placed into a clay or ceramic pot and it's covered with a sauce consisting of flour, butter, and cream.
Lobio is a Georgian invention that refers to a wide group of dishes that employ beans as a key ingredient. Most commonly, those are red kidney beans, boiled with various spices to create a thick stew, commonly served with mchadi, a traditional Georgian cornbread.
Among numerous other varieties, lobio nigozit, which incorporates mashed beans in a thick walnut sauce, is the most common version. The dish can also appear in a form of a salad, with whole or mashed beans, and it is typically served cold.
VARIATIONS OF Lobio
MOST ICONIC Lobio
This Armenian vegetarian dish is traditionally consumed during Lent. Topik consists of a potato and chickpea shell that is wrapped around a paste-like filling of onions, currants, pine nuts, tahini, and olive oil. The filling is typically flavored with cinnamon and allspice, and the dish is usually served drizzled with lemon juice and sprinkled with cinnamon.
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Kherson-style eggplants is a traditional dish originating from Kherson, a region with abundant eggplants. The dish is usually made with a combination of eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, lemon juice, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
The vegetables are washed and peeled. The eggplants and bell peppers are cut in half and roasted in the oven, while the tomatoes are blanched and cut into cubes. The eggplants, bell peppers, and tomatoes are mixed with garlic, grated onions, lemon juice, oil, and seasonings.
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Ajapsandali is a popular Georgian stew consisting of eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and seasonings such as bay leaves, garlic, coriander, black pepper, and salt. The vegetables are stewed in oil, but only for a short time so that they don't lose their color and vitamins.
The dish is often consumed as a family meal in Georgia, and it is especially popular during summer. For an interesting twist, try serving it cold with crumbled feta and chunks of bread.
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Manqal salatı is a refreshing Azerbaijani salad that is especially popular during summer. It consists of eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, and onions. The vegetables are traditionally grilled on skewers on a mangal (Caucasian-style grill), then chopped and combined with minced garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs such as cilantro, dill, or basil.
The salad is usually served as an accompaniment to grilled meat dishes, but it can also be served with bread or a piece of Motal cheese.
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Originally invented in the 19th century, vinegret is the oldest, extremely popular Russian salad usually consisting of boiled beets, potatoes, and carrots combined with diced pickles, sauerkraut, and onions. The name of the salad is derived from the French term vinaigrette, which denotes an oily salad dressing in France.
Vinegret is traditionally dressed with a combination of oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and sometimes mustard. It is often prepared for holidays and on festive events such as New Year's celebrations, so it is recommended to make it a day in advance. Customarily, the salad is served with Russian black bread on the side, along with meat or fish such as sausages or herrings.
MOST ICONIC Vinegret
View moreKoliva is a traditional dish consisting of a combination of any of the following ingredients: boiled wheat kernels, honey, sugar, sesame seeds, walnuts, raisins, anise, almonds, and pomegranate seeds. In the Orthodox Christian religion, it is used as a ritual dish that is prepared for funerals, memorials, Lent, Slava, or Christmas, since it symbolizes death and resurrection.
This unique porridge is traditionally served with powdered sugar on top, while it is customary to stick a candle in the center and light it at the beginning of the service, then extinguish it at the end.
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Çoban salatası or shepherd's salad is a traditional salad that can be found throughout the country, especially during summer. It's also popular in Azerbaijanai cuisine. The salad is made with a combination of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley.
The ingredients are finely chopped, dressed with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, then mixed together. It's recommended to serve this simple salad with crusty bread on the side for mopping up the juices.
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