Georgian Cilantro Sauce Food

GEORGIAN CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the dried apricots in a bowl and pour on the boiling water. Let sit for at least an hour, more if possible, even overnight. Drain over a measuring cup and retain 1/2 cup of the soaking water.
• Turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the bowl. Add the walnuts, and process with the garlic. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the drained apricots, the lemon juice, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl, and process to a puree. Add the cilantro and other chopped herbs, and puree, stopping the machine to scrape down the sides several times. Combine the walnut oil and soaking water from the apricots, and with the machine running, gradually add it to the puree. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, and let sit for one hour. Taste and adjust salt. Serve with beans, chicken, meat or fish, grilled or roasted vegetables, or grains.

GEORGIAN BEETS IN CHERRY SAUCE (CHARKHALIS CHOGI)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Coat the beets with the oil and place in a single layer in a baking pan. Roast until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly, then trim, peel, and thinly slice.
• While the beets are roasting, combine the cherries and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree in a blender or food processor.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent, 5-10 minutes. Stir into the cherry puree. Add the cilantro, parsley and salt.
• Pour the sauce over the beets. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

GEORGIAN BEAN SALAD WITH CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight or for six hours in just enough water to cover the beans. Transfer with the soaking water to a soup pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches, and bring to a simmer. Skim off any foam, then add the onion and two of the garlic cloves. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour or until the beans are just about tender. Add salt to taste (about 1 rounded teaspoon) and the remaining garlic, and simmer another 30 minutes or until the beans are tender but intact. Drain, retaining the liquid.
• Toss the beans with the cilantro sauce and the scallions. If you wish, moisten with some of the bean liquid. Transfer to a serving dish, and allow to cool to room temperature. Moisten with more liquid if desired, and adjust seasonings before serving. Add chopped tomatoes if desired. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

GEORGIAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Place beans in a bowl; cover with plenty of water. Soak for 8 hours or overnight.
• Drain beans and transfer to a large pot; cover with plenty of water, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until beans are soft, about 90 minutes. Drain and season with salt.
• Grind walnuts and garlic to a fine paste in a food processor. Add vinegar, 1/3 cup water, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon cilantro, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Process until smooth.
• Mix beans, onion, chicken, and dressing in a bowl. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with 1 tablespoon parsley and 2 tablespoons cilantro.

GEORGIAN SALSA

Steps:

• Finely grind coriander and fenugreek seeds with a mortar and pestle or an electric coffee/spice grinder.
• Finely chop cilantro, basil, and garlic together in a food processor. Add bell pepper and jalape‱os and pulse until finely chopped.
• Add vinegar, coriander mixture, and salt and blend until just combined.