Caucasian pies. Cuisine of the peoples of the Caucasus (Caucasian) - national recipes for homemade dishes with photos

Cuisine of the peoples of the Caucasus or national Caucasian cuisine- this is a collective concept that combines Abkhazian, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Georgian Lezgin, Ossetian, and Chechen cuisine. Of course, each of them has its own dishes, but most of them are similar, such as kebab. This dish consists of medium-sized pieces of pork or lamb, marinated and then grilled. The principle of preparing the dish is the same, but the marinades differ. They come in a wide variety.

The commonality of the previously listed Caucasian cuisines is that in each of them you will find appetizers, salads, first courses in the form of thick soups, main hot courses, desserts, baked goods, and preparations for the winter. A similar pattern can be seen in the food products used. For example, the basis of many dishes is meat. The most popular is lamb, followed by goat and beef, as well as poultry. Pork is practically not used, due to the religious factor. The thing is that many Caucasians adhere to Islam, which precisely imposes a ban (haram) on eating pig meat. In addition, milk and dairy products are widely used. Quite popular are sour milk and drinks based on it, as well as all kinds of cheeses. By the way, cheese making for the Caucasian peoples is an integral part of their traditional cooking. Also on a traditional Caucasian table you will see a wide variety of greens, as well as local seasonal vegetables. Another similar feature is the use wheat flour for baking flatbreads.

The peoples of the Caucasus jealously guard their traditions. For example, when you go to the Caucasus, you will often see a tandoor - a traditional roasting oven in which a wide variety of dishes are prepared. This device has served faithfully for hundreds of years, and will serve no less!

Speaking about the cuisine of the peoples of the Caucasus, we would like to note that every year it is gaining more and more popularity on a global scale. Today, millions of people have heard the following names: kharcho, pilaf, lobio, satsivi, khachapuri, lula-kebab and many others. And this is not surprising, because these dishes are not only unusual and orientally spicy, but also very tasty!

If you are interested in national Caucasian cuisine, then we suggest you get to know it better. To do this, you don’t have to go to an expensive restaurant or look for a suitable cafe. You can get acquainted with Caucasian cuisine without leaving own home. You just need to use the recipes with photos that are given here! We hope that the dishes prepared by you will turn out in the best traditions of real oriental cuisine!


The culture of cooking and eating among the peoples inhabiting the Caucasus region is a whole world, the study and description of which will take many volumes. Caucasian cuisine is as ancient as the history of the peoples living here. The culture of eating and many dishes of Caucasian cuisine, which to this day are included in the menu of the peoples of the Caucasus, have come down to us from time immemorial.

Abaza cuisine
Both the festive feast and the usual family meal among the Abazas strictly obey certain rules etiquette. Guests and family members are seated at the table in a strictly defined order, taking into account age and position, and dishes are served in the same order.


Abkhazian Cuisine
Abkhazian cuisine has a small variety of products. These are mainly eggs, meat, fish, dairy products, fats, vegetables, fruits, corn, beans, walnuts. There are practically no soups in the Abkhaz diet. They eat non-fatty food. Vegetables are used for side dishes and salads. Meat dishes are served with fresh and salted vegetables.


Adyghe cuisine
The Circassians ate their food while sitting on stools at low tables with three legs. Cookware included a wooden, clay or copper bowl or plate, copper or plane tree trays, knives with horn handles, and wooden knives.


Azerbaijani Cuisine
It should be noted that in Azerbaijani cuisine, like in no other cuisine of the Caucasus, spices and all kinds of herbs are widely used: hot pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, dill, parsley, ginger, cilantro, mint, sumac (barberry powder) , Reagan, cumin, kavar, as well as purely national spices such as saffron, fennel, anise, Bay leaf, coriander


Armenian Cuisine
Armenian cuisine is one of the oldest cuisines in Asia and the oldest in Transcaucasia. Her character traits took shape at least a millennium BC during the formation of the Armenian people and have been preserved in many respects for more than three thousand years to the present day


Georgian Cuisine
Dishes of Georgian cuisine are very popular in Russia and abroad due to their unique taste and spiciness. This national cuisine is characterized by a large number of seasonings and spices: allspice and bitter pepper, garlic, cumin, cilantro, mint, tarragon, thyme, parsley, dill, tarragon, regan, celery.


Dagestan cuisine
Modern Dagestan cuisine, enriched with the achievements of civilization, is impossible to describe, and there is no point. Many dishes that were consumed on celebrations or when guests came were included in the daily menu of every family.


Kabardino-Balkarian cuisine
The most typical dishes are fried, stewed and boiled meat and poultry. Boiled meat dishes are always served with brine - a sauce made from crushed garlic diluted with ayran or broth. Other sauces are mainly made from sour cream.


Karachay cuisine
Since ancient times, the people of Karachay were famous for their hospitality. Every traveler, arriving at a mountaineer’s house, could have a hearty dinner and only then talk about business. Among the Karachais, first and second courses are mainly prepared from lamb, less often beef and poultry. This is explained by the fact that the Karachay population lives in mountainous areas and for the most part raises sheep.


Kurdish Cuisine
Kurdish cuisine is original and has its own national flavor. The culinary art of the Kurds is always popular among other peoples, and many Kurdish dishes have entered the national cuisines of neighboring countries. In turn, some dishes of neighboring peoples have become widespread among the Kurdish people.


Nogai cuisine
The nomadic life that has developed over centuries has left its mark on the national cuisine, which is not very diverse. Most often, meat dishes are prepared: beef, lamb, poultry, and livestock products.


Ossetian cuisine
Ossetian cuisine is traditional among the Ossetians - nomadic peoples who have settled near the Caucasus since ancient times. This nation has its own unsurpassed and incomparable food peculiarities, which will be discussed in this article.

Caucasian kitchen– the concept is quite arbitrary. The Caucasus Mountains region is home to a large number of peoples whose cuisine has many common features. Caucasian cuisine is, first of all, meat, vegetables, herbs, spices and red wine. The names of many dishes of Caucasian cuisine are well known even to those who have never been to the Caucasus, since this national food is simply adored in Russia.

In general, the dishes are characterized by elegance of taste, satiety and a special ritual of preparing and eating food with the obligatory abundance of herbs, spices, and delicious drinks; they are united by the collective name traditional dishes peoples inhabiting the Caucasus region.

Nature has generously endowed this region with fertile arable land, plenty of sun, noble mountains with an abundance of fragrant herbs, fragrant gardens and vineyards. Therefore, Caucasian cuisine is a real national treasure, unlike others, because it combines the secrets of various dishes.

All dishes are very appetizing, juicy, filling, with their own unique flavors and original recipes. This includes the well-known kebab, delicious pilaf, satsivi, shurpa, dolma, khinkali, kebabs, khachapuri - the list goes on and on. And of course, one cannot help but pay attention to the unimaginable an abundance of various sauces, seasonings and famous aromatic wines. Magical unique recipes are given to us by peoples who are well versed in food and know how to cook it. Colorful culinary ideas are loved and in demand far beyond the Caucasus.

In this review, we have selected five famous Caucasian dishes and collected their classic recipes.


In order to start cooking real and delicious kebab, you must first choose the right meat. What kind of meat should you buy? Some people only like lamb, others do not eat pork, and still others eat any meat. Pork is perfect for a good barbecue, not very fatty, only fresh and not frozen. Which part of pork to use? best result? Take the neck.
Ingredients for marinating - based on 3-4 kilograms. Main secret marinating shish kebab is not about what ingredients to put there, but in what sequence.

Ingredients:

  • Salt (about 4-5 tsp)
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • Coriander is also known as cilantro. 15-20 peas. They need to be crushed in a mortar, first lightly fried. If the coriander is already ground: a little more than half a teaspoon
  • Basil - the same amount as ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon
  • Thyme - also known as Thyme per kilogram - one or two pinches

  • Zira. A very specific seasoning, a little less than half a teaspoon will be enough. Zira has a very specific taste, so be careful in its quantity
  • Bay leaf, a couple of pieces
  • Red pepper, paprika. Ground, sweet. You can have a teaspoon without a “slide”. It will give a little of the desired aroma and beautiful colour when frying. Want to add some spice? One clove of crushed garlic, add hot capsicum, but be careful, the taste of the meat can be greatly interrupted, you need everything in moderation
  • Onions – 5-6 bulbs
  • Sunflower oil – 5-6 tablespoons

Mix everything, add half a lemon. The meat should be marinated for several hours, then fry the kebab on the grill.

Ossetians have been baking their traditional pies with various fillings for thousands of years. The shape of the pies is usually round, about 30-35 cm in diameter.

The name of the pies may vary depending on the type of filling :

  • Walibakh, ch(b)iri, habizdzhyn (singular) – pies with cheese
  • Kartofdzhyn – pies with potatoes and cheese
  • Tsaharajyn – pies with chopped beet leaves and cheese
  • Kabuskajin – pies with shredded cabbage and cheese
  • Fydzhyn - pies with minced meat (usually beef)
  • Davonjin – pies with chopped wild garlic leaves and cheese
  • Nashjyn – pies with chopped pumpkin and cheese (available without)
  • Kh(b)adurjyn – bean pies

IN different areas Ossetia may have other variations of the filling.


Ossetian pie

Ingredients:

For the test:

  • Wheat flour - 500 g
  • Sugar - 50 g
  • Salt - 60 g
  • Yeast (preferably live) - 50 g
  • Water - 1.5 l

For filling:

  • Beef (brisket) - 450 g
  • Bulb onions - 2 medium onions
  • Garlic - 3–5 cloves

Ossetian pie

Preparation:

  • Prepare the dough- mix one and a half liters of warm water, yeast, salt and sugar. Let sit for 10–12 minutes
  • Mix flour and dough so that the dough is elastic enough and not too hard. At the end, add a little sunflower oil so that the dough does not stick to your hands.
  • Pass the meat through a meat grinder, do the same with garlic and onions. Add salt and pepper to taste
  • Lay out the dough on the table, roll it out a little and put the filling in the middle. Then close the top with the edges of the dough. Then roll out to a thickness of two and a half centimeters. Place the pie in cast iron frying pan or shape (approximately 32 centimeters in diameter). Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 300 degrees. When serving, brush the pie with a little butter.

To prepare real khinkali, you need to follow several rules. Firstly, it is advisable not to mince the meat, but to chop it finely: minced meat will release more natural juice when cooked, and this is the most valuable part of the dish. In addition, the minced meat should not be dry; you need to add a little water to it and mix thoroughly. Kneading the dough for khinkali by hand is difficult, as it should turn out dense and elastic, so if you have a dough mixer, it is better to use it.

The more folds on the tail, the better quality the khinkali is considered: ideally there should be 19 folds, but often there are about 10. The number does not affect the taste, but speaks about the professionalism of the cook.

You need to eat khinkali with your hands: take it by the tail, turn it over, bite a small hole and first drink the juice, and then take a bite.


Ingredients:

Ground meat:

  • Veal - 1 kg
  • Onion - 200 gr
  • Chili pepper - 10–12 g
  • Salt - 10–15 g
  • Black pepper - 3–4 g
  • Fresh cilantro - 5 g
  • Water - 100 gr

Dough:

  • Flour - 2 kg
  • Water - 650 ml
  • Sunflower oil - 20–30 g
  • Salt - 20 gr

Preparation:

Dough. Pour flour, salt into a deep container and start kneading, gradually adding water and sunflower oil. After the mass becomes homogeneous and elastic, form it into a ball, cover with cling film and leave for 20 minutes.

Ground meat. Finely chop the meat. Chop the onion into small cubes, finely chop the chili and chop the cilantro. In a deep container, mix meat, onion, chili, cilantro, mint, salt and pepper. Add water and mix thoroughly (the consistency should be liquid but homogeneous).

Roll out the dough into a sausage with a diameter of about four centimeters and cut it into pieces of three to four centimeters. Form each piece into a ball, and then, sprinkle with flour, roll out into a thin flat cake three millimeters thick. You need to roll out the same ball at least ten times to make the dough more elastic.

Put about 50 gr. minced meat into the middle of a thin flatbread and, lifting up the edges of the dough, roll them in a circle like an accordion: pinch the dough with one hand and collect the folds with the other. Press the resulting tail and cut off the excess top with a knife. Stretch the khinkali slightly so that after cooking, the juice from the meat inside remains at the bottom.

Salted in a saucepan swirl boiling water into a funnel using a spoon, lower the khinkali into its center, scroll once (so that the khinkali certainly do not stick to each other) and leave to cook for seven to nine minutes.


(kebab in Persian means “fried meat”) - an oblong cutlet fried on a skewer.

Traditional lula kebab prepared from lamb and onions. In this case, the lamb should be quite fatty, and you will need a lot of onions. Unlike cutlets, lula kebab does not contain any eggs or bread. Only spices are added to the meat and onions: pepper, basil, cilantro, garlic.

For cooking lula kebab The lamb must be passed through a meat grinder and minced with your hands for a very long time, throwing it forcefully onto the table. The minced meat should become viscous so that it sticks to the skewers and does not fall apart on the grill. It is very important to knead the minced meat well - it also determines how tender the meat will be.

To prevent minced meat made without bread and eggs from falling apart when frying, it must first be beaten, that is, forcefully hit the entire mass of minced meat on the table for 8–10 minutes.


Ingredients:

  • Lamb – 1 kg
  • Onions – 4 pcs.
  • Fat tail fat – 100 g
  • Basil – 1 tsp.

Cooking method:

  • Peel the onion, grind with half the lard in a meat grinder
  • Wash the lamb, cut into pieces and also grind in a meat grinder. Add the mixture of onions and lard, mince everything together again
  • Season the minced meat with seasonings and basil. Knead for 7–8 minutes. Then beat thoroughly, cover with cling film and put in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Form sausages 12–14 cm long from the minced meat and thread them onto skewers. Fry over coals or in a hot frying pan, turning constantly, for 20 minutes. Plum sauce goes very well with lula kebabs.

Khachapuri

Adjarian khachapuri recipe

Ingredients:

  • flour - 500 gr
  • salt - 1/4 tsp.
  • warm milk - 1 tbsp.
  • sugar - 1 tsp.
  • chicken egg - 8 pcs.
  • vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l.
  • dry yeast - 1 sachet
  • grated cheese (Adyghe or Suluguni) - 250-350 gr
  • butter - 100 gr

Preparation:

  • Dough. Pour milk into a bowl, add salt, sugar, 1 egg, flour and yeast and mix well. Knead until you get a smooth and elastic dough
  • Grease a pan with oil, transfer the dough into it and roll it in oil, then cover with foil and place in a warm place for an hour. After an hour, knead the dough and put it back in a warm place for half an hour.
  • After half an hour, knead the dough and divide by 6 equal parts according to the number of future khachapuri. We flatten the dough with our hands to form soft oval cakes, we tighten the edges of these cakes so that the dough in the middle is thinner. Place grated cheese in the middle, fold the edges and forming boats. Beat 1 egg and brush the edges with it

  • Place the khachapuri in an oven preheated to 200°C for 25-30 minutes. Then we take out the khachapuri and beat an egg into the middle of each. Keep the khachapuri with the egg in the oven, so that the white is baked and the yolk remains liquid (don’t miss this moment!!!), and we get it. Serve khachapuri hot, placing a piece of butter on top of each

Bon Appetit everyone!!!

Nowadays it is difficult to find a person who would not love Caucasian dishes. The recipes that we have collected for you in this article will help you cook in oriental style. Don’t forget about the popular Caucasian pastries, which you can easily prepare yourself in your kitchen.

Ossetian pies

If you try this amazing dish at least once, you will forever fall in love with its taste. It is impossible to imagine the menu without this unique pastry, and if you learn to cook it yourself, your loved ones will be grateful to you. Recipe:

  • Warm 200 ml of milk on the stove, add 15 grams of yeast and 10 grams of sugar. Add a little flour, stir and leave the dough to rise for 20-30 minutes. Once it is ready, you can knead the dough. To do this, sift 350 grams of flour into a bowl and add a little salt.
  • For the filling, grate 250 grams of suluguni, add 20 grams of chopped dill and green onions to it. Cut a bunch of young beet tops with a knife, place in the filling and mix with your hands.
  • For the pie to be successful, the filling and dough must match in volume. Roll out a piece of dough into a small flat cake, place the filling inside and seal the edges. Using a rolling pin, roll out the cake quite thinly and make a round hole on top.
  • Place the workpiece on a baking sheet and place it in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Grease the finished dish with butter and serve. Ossetian pies are prepared with different fillings, but always in odd quantities. Therefore, to please your loved ones, surprise them with a fragrant treat with meat or chicken.

Khachapuri

Caucasian dishes prepared with your own hands and in your own kitchen will make your usual menu more varied. And your loved ones will say a special “thank you” for the juicy and delicious cheese pies. How to cook khachapuri correctly:

  • Dissolve the sachet in warm water. Knead a simple dough by adding flour and salt. After that, lubricate it with oil and send it to a warm place to rise.
  • For the filling, grate the cheese and mix it with a raw egg.
  • Roll out the dough into a flat cake, place the filling in the center and pinch the edges. Roll out an even round cake.

Khachapuri can be baked in the oven or in a dry frying pan without adding oil. Before serving, brush the pie with butter. If you have some filling left, spread it over the surface of the finished pie. After this, place the baked goods in the preheated oven for a few more minutes. Cut the treat into portions and invite your loved ones to the table.

Lobio

It is impossible to imagine a traditional Caucasian feast without this hearty snack. Add to it a slice of fresh vegetables, soft bread and aromatic herbs, and a hearty lunch will be ready for the whole family. Recipe:

  • Soak 300 grams of dry red beans for four hours. After this, it needs to be washed and boiled until tender.
  • Peel three onions and two cloves of garlic, chop with a knife and fry on vegetable oil. At the end, add, remove the pan from the heat and cool.
  • Grind 100 grams of peeled walnuts, add chopped cilantro and mix everything with the rest of the products. Add salt, pepper and, if necessary, a little water.

Soup with greens

The cuisines are distinguished by their bright taste thanks to the spices and fresh herbs they contain. This dish is very easy to prepare:

  • Cool 600 grams of kefir or matsioni.
  • Peel two potatoes, two onions and two cloves of garlic and then chop.
  • Pour some oil into a pan and then fry the onion and garlic in it. After this, add the potatoes and pour hot broth over everything.
  • Finely chop 300 grams of greens, place in a sieve and heat over steam for a few minutes. After that, grind it with a blender and add to the soup. Pour in kefir, add spices and salt.

Season the soup with hot pepper before serving.

Delicious meat dishes. Chakhokhbili

If you want to cook this tasty dish, then read our recipe carefully:

  • Place a chicken weighing 1.5-2 kilograms in a pan and boil until half cooked. After this, divide it into portions.
  • Fry the chicken in a cauldron or thick-bottomed pan until golden brown. Finally add chopped onion and Bell pepper. Fry everything together for a few more minutes.
  • Pour a glass of strained broth into the pan, close the lid and simmer everything together for 40 minutes.
  • Remove the skin from the tomatoes and then puree them using a blender. Add them to the chicken along with minced garlic, basil and cilantro. If you like it spicy, then add chopped hot pepper or adjika to the chicken. At the end add salt and

Like other delicious ones meat dishes, chakhokhbili should be served hot with plenty of fresh vegetables.

Shawarma. Classic recipe

Caucasian dishes have firmly entered our lives, and shawarma has long become dear to our fellow citizens. We regularly buy it in stores, tents and station stalls. However, if you decide to treat yourself to a delicious delicacy, then it is better to prepare it yourself. Moreover, the recipe for its preparation is very simple:

  • Fry 500 grams of chicken on a spit or in the oven. To give it a unique flavor, you can use liquid smoke. Shred the chicken using your hands or chop it finely.
  • Grease thin pita bread with ketchup and mayonnaise, and top thin layer add pieces of pre-prepared chicken.
  • Next, you can experiment with the ingredients, but we suggest trying our version. To do this, place the next layer of French fries, chopped cabbage, Korean carrots and onions.
  • Wrap the pita bread in an envelope and heat it in a frying pan or in the oven.

You can prepare this dish for a picnic or cottage. If you involve your guests in this process, then everyone will be able to create a unique dish for themselves to suit their taste.

Shashlik

Popular Caucasian dishes, the recipes of which we describe in our article, have been known to every Russian since childhood. However, they often differ in the method of preparation, and each cook tries to bring something new to it. This is especially true for barbecue, which everyone prepares in their own way. We suggest you try preparing it in the following way:

  • Cut four kilograms of pork into pieces average size and put them in the pan.
  • Each layer should be sprinkled with seasoning (ground black or red pepper) and chopped onion.
  • Pour over the meat mineral water and refrigerate for several hours.

Cook shish kebab over an open fire using a grill or skewers.

We hope that you will enjoy the Caucasian dishes, the recipes for which we have described in such detail in this article.

Famous Caucasian pastries

Caucasian cuisine is no less diverse than the Caucasus itself. Adjika, kebabs, vegetable dishes with spices and herbs are firmly included in our diet. And any housewife can pamper her family with traditional oriental pastries.

Khachapuri is a true masterpiece of Georgian cuisine. They can be prepared in different ways: there are great amount different recipes in which the dough and filling are not repeated. With a variety of cooking techniques, you are sure to find one that you like.

What is oriental cuisine without baking? Dishes prepared according to the recipes of Caucasian chefs are extremely popular all over the world.

Caucasian pastries can be sweet and salty, with honey, fruits, vegetables, different varieties meat and fish. Almost every recipe contains a lot of spices and herbs. There is always a lot of filling, it is juicy and very tasty.
Khychin, Ossetian pies, khachapuri with a hundred different fillings - this is not the entire list of dough products for which the cuisine of the Caucasus is famous. Recipes have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years; each family has its own secret ingredient that makes baked goods unique. The serving of pies is also unique - 3 pies are brought to the table as a tribute to water, sun and earth.

Based on the quality of the dough, it is easy to distinguish a skilled housewife from an inexperienced one. The better and thinner the dough is rolled out, the more praise the woman deserves.
The amount of filling in the pies speaks of the generosity and hospitality of the owners. In no home will you find baked goods without filling. Onions, cheese, mushrooms, lamb - everything that the owners of the house are rich in is served with flatbread.

It’s not enough to just mix all the ingredients; for a successful result you need to put your soul into the dish and cook it with love.

Baking in the Caucasus is not only flatbreads and pies. In this section of our virtual cookbook you will find not only traditional Caucasian dough products, but also many original recipes, the existence of which you may hear for the first time. Just look at our section, and your feet will take you to the stove, try making pies according to new recipes.