Based on your description of a dish enjoyed with a friend from Georgia, the classic dish that comes to mind is Khachapuri, specifically the Adjarian Khachapuri boat style. It’s a beloved, shareable cheesy bread that is a cornerstone of Georgian cuisine and makes for a memorable cooking project.
Here is a complete breakdown of this iconic recipe for you.
🍞 Introduction & History of Khachapuri
Khachapuri is more than food; it’s a symbol of Georgian hospitality and identity. Its name comes from “khacho” (curd cheese) and “puri” (bread). The Adjarian version, from Georgia’s Black Sea region, is shaped like a boat with an egg yolk and butter stirred into the melted cheese center just before serving. Recipes have evolved over centuries, much like other global classics, with regional variations being celebrated.
📝 Ingredients & Equipment
For the Dough:
· All-purpose flour: 500g (3 ½ – 4 cups)
· Warm water: 250ml (1 cup)
· Milk: 100ml (⅓ cup)
· Dry yeast: 7g (2 ¼ tsp)
· Sugar: 1 tsp
· Salt: 1 tsp
· Vegetable oil: 2 tbsp
For the Filling & Topping:
· Cheeses (Key): You’ll need about 500g total. Use a mix for authentic flavor:
· Sulguni or Mozzarella (for melt): 300g, grated
· Feta or Georgian Imeretian cheese (for tang): 200g, crumbled
· Egg yolks: 1 per khachapuri (typically 4 total)
· Butter: A few small pats
Essential Equipment:
· Stand mixer with dough hook (optional but helpful)
· Large mixing bowls
· Baking sheets
· Rolling pin
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions & Methods
1. Make the Dough
· In a bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
· In a mixer bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, milk, and oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
· Knead on medium speed (or by hand) for 7-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
· Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, or until doubled.
2. Prepare the Filling
· While the dough rises, combine the grated and crumbled cheeses in a bowl. Mix well.
3. Shape the “Boats”
· Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal balls.
· On a floured surface, roll each ball into an oval about 30cm long and 15cm wide.
· Roll the two long sides inward toward the center to form thick “boat rails,” pinching the ends to create pointed tips. You should have an oval boat shape.
4. Fill and Bake
· Place the dough boats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
· Divide the cheese filling evenly among them, piling it into the center.
· Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. The Final Touch
· Remove from the oven. Using a spoon, create a small well in the center of the melted cheese in each boat. Carefully drop one egg yolk into each well.
· Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, just to set the egg whites slightly but leave the yolk runny.
· Immediately add a pat of butter to the hot cheese. Serve at once.
🧑🤝🧑 For the Lovers (Sharing & Enjoyment)
Khachapuri is a social food. The proper way to eat Adjarian Khachapuri is to share:
1. Gather friends or family around the table.
2. Using your fork, vigorously stir the egg yolk and butter into the molten cheese in the center.
3. Tear pieces of the bread “boat rail” and dip them into the rich, cheesy mixture.
This act of communal eating embodies the Georgian spirit of friendship and celebration.
⚖️ Nutrition & Benefits
While rich, a home-cooked khachapuri allows for ingredient control. Key nutritional notes per serving (¼ of a large khachapuri, estimate):
· Calories: ~550-650 kcal
· Primary Components: High in protein and calcium from cheese, and carbohydrates from the bread.
· Making it Healthier: You can use part-skim cheeses or incorporate whole wheat flour into the dough. Home cooking generally leads to healthier choices, as you avoid the excess sodium and preservatives common in restaurant or processed foods.
📊 Quick Nutritional Overview
Primary Macronutrients (Per Serving):
· Calories: 550-650 kcal
· Carbohydrates: 45-55 g (Energy from bread)
· Protein: 25-30 g (From cheese and egg)
· Fat: 25-35 g (From cheese, butter, egg yolk)
Key Benefits:
· Control: You manage the ingredients and salt level.
· Connection: The process of making and sharing it strengthens social bonds.
· Mindful Eating: Cooking engages your brain creatively and encourages mindful consumption.
✅ Conclusion
Making Khachapuri is a rewarding culinary adventure. From its storied history to the joyful, hands-on process of shaping the boats and the communal feast that follows, it perfectly captures the experience you described. It’s a dish that turns a meal into a memory.
For precise nutritional analysis, you can use online tools where you paste your exact ingredient list for a detailed breakdown.
I hope this detailed guide helps you recreate the wonderful dish from your Georgia friend! If you’d like to explore other regional variations of Khachapuri, like the round Imeretian style, feel free to ask.
