Serving
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Georgian Beef Stew
Georgia (former Soviet Republic) - Khalia
Serves
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 6 main  
***
2-1/2 hr  
Yes		 A slightly tart, deliciously spiced beef stew, and easy to make too. Reportedly popular all over the former Soviet Union, Georgian restaurants serve it sizzling on hot cast iron skillets.
Leftovers? Add just a little tomato sauce, mush it a little and use it as pasta sauce. Unforgettably delicious with linguine!


3
1-1/2
------
1-1/2
1-1/2
1/4
------
1-1/2
1/2
1
1/8
------
6
1/2
1
1/4
------
1/3
1/3
tt 		#
#
---
oz
c
c
---
t
t
t
t
---
cl
c
t
t
---
c
c

Beef, lean (1)
Onions
-- Stock
Sour Plums, dry (2)
Stock (beef)
Tomato Paste
-- Spices
Coriander seed
Fenugreek seed
Paprika, Hungarian
Cayenne pepper
-- Seasoning
Garlic
Walnut pieces
Salt
Pepper, black
--------
Cilantro
Olive Oil
Tarragon
    PREP   -   ()
  1. Cut BEEF into small cubes, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch on a side. Remove all excess fat. Put in water to cover, bring to a boil, drain and rinse to remove all scum. This will also prevent the beef from exuding water while you're trying to fry it.
  2. Chop ONIONS fine.
  3. Soak SOUR PLUMS for an hour, chop fine - or use one of the substitutes listed in Note-2. Purée along with Stock and Tomato Paste.
  4. Grind together Coriander, Fenugreek, Paprika and Cayenne.
  5. Crush GARLIC and chop fine.
  6. Check WALNUTS to make sure they're fresh (no rancidity) and grind them fine. Add to Garlic along with Salt and Pepper.
  7. Chop CILANTRO small.
    8. RUN   -   ()
  8. In a large coverable sauté pan heat olive oil. Stir in Beef and Onions and fry stirring until onions are translucent but not browned.
  9. Stir in Stock mix and Spice mix. Cover and simmer slowly for about 1-1/2 hours until beef is tender. Check now and then to make sure it doesn't dry out. Add stock if needed. This stew should be quite wet but the liquid should not be thin.
  10. Stir in Seasoning mix. Adjust liquid if needed (it should not be too thin).
  11. Season cautiously with TARRAGON. How much will depend on your taste, whether its French or Russian, whether dry or fresh. It should be just noticeable, not overpowering.
NOTES:
  1. Beef:   Wight is boneless and with all excess fat removed. One of the tougher stewing cuts or roasts will be fine.
  2. Sour Plums:   Dried sour plums are sometimes available in Southern California in markets serving Russian, Caucasian and Persian communities. If available they should be soaked for an hour and puré A substitute is Tkemali, a Georgian sauce made from sour plums. Use 3 T and leave out 2 of the garlic cloves. Lacking that, do as U.S. Georgians do and use 3 T Tamarind Paste, available in any market serving an Indian or Southeast Asian community.
  3. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch
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