Georgian recipe
How to make Lobio
ლობიო
The whole country
A dish of beans cooked with onion, garlic, coriander and spices, sometimes with walnuts. It is often served hot in a clay pot with mchadi cornbread and pickled vegetables. A cold version, mashed with walnuts and vinegar, is served as a starter.
Ingredients
- 2 tins (400 g each) red kidney beans, drained, or 250 g dried beans soaked overnight and boiled until soft
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed and 1/2 teaspoon dried savory or thyme
- A pinch of chilli flakes
- A large handful of fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, salt
Method
- Fry the onions gently in the oil for about 10 minutes until soft and golden.
- Add the beans with about 200 ml water, the ground coriander, savory and chilli. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Mash about half of the beans roughly with a spoon so the stew thickens.
- Stir in the garlic, vinegar and most of the fresh coriander, and season with salt. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with the rest of the coriander, with cornbread or crusty bread and pickles.
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The red kidney beans used today came from the Americas and reached Georgia only after 1500.
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