Kharcho - step-by-step recipe with photos

Kharcho soup is a traditional Georgian soup, usually made with beef, rice and nuts, seasoned with tomatoes, spices and sweet and sour tkemali sauce. Georgian Kharcho is famous for its rich and intense flavor, thanks to the use of aromatic spices such as khmeli-suneli and utskho-suneli, as well as garlic and herbs. But to cook it right, you'll also need a detailed kharcho recipe.

Ingredients

To make kharcho soup, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Beef (500 g) is the main meat for the broth. It can be replaced with chicken or lamb.
2. Rice (100 g) - adds thickness to the soup. You can use any variety, but long-grain rice is best.
3. Onions (2 pieces) - to add flavor and taste to the broth.
4. Carrots (1 piece) - for sweetness and color.
5. Garlic (3 cloves) - for spice.
6. Tomato paste (2 tablespoons) - gives the soup a rich flavor. It can be replaced with fresh tomatoes, previously grated.
7. Tkemali sauce (2 tablespoons) is a traditional Georgian sauce made from sour plums. If it is not available, you can use pomegranate juice or lemon juice.
8. Walnuts (100 g) - chopped, for richness of flavor.
9. Spices:

   • Hmeli Suneli (1 teaspoon) is a traditional Georgian spice blend.

   • Utsho-suneli (1 teaspoon) - gives a special flavor and aroma.

   • Laurel leaf (2 pieces) - for flavor.

   • Salt and black pepper to taste.

10. Herbs (cilantro, parsley) - for freshness and flavor when serving.

If some ingredients are not available, you can try replacing them with their nearest analogs. For example, you can substitute a mixture of dried herbs such as basil, coriander and marjoram for hops-suneli, or crushed fenugreek seeds for utskho-suneli.

How to cook kharcho?

Did you buy all the ingredients? Great, then next you will need a detailed and step-by-step kharcho soup recipe. If your head is already spinning, you can find excellent and authentic kharcho by visiting a Georgian cuisine restaurant in Tbilisi.

Step 1: Preparing the meat

1. Cut the beef into small pieces.
2. Place the meat in a large saucepan, add the bay leaf and fill with 2.5 liters of water.
3. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours until the meat is soft.

Step 2: Preparing the vegetables and nuts

1. Finely chop the onion and garlic.
2. Fry the onion in vegetable oil until transparent.
3. Add the chopped garlic and fry for a couple more minutes.
4. Peel the tomatoes, dice them and add to the onion and garlic.
5. Stew the mixture over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
6. Grind the walnuts in a coffee grinder or blender to fine crumbs.

Step 3: Combine ingredients

1. Strain the broth, return it to the pot and add the boiled meat.
2. Add the rice to the broth and cook over low heat until the rice is cooked (about 15 minutes).
3. Add the tomato paste and tkemali sauce, mix well.
4. Add the nuts and spices: hopli-suneli, coriander, red pepper.
5. Put the roasted vegetables in the broth, mix and cook for another 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Final step

1. Add finely chopped herbs (cilantro and parsley).
2. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
3. Boil the soup for another 10 minutes and remove from the heat.
4. Let the soup stand under the lid for about 10 minutes before serving.

Now your Georgian-style kharcho soup is ready to serve. Enjoy your soup!