Achma - Georgian Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 250g (9 oz) unsalted butter, melted 250g (9 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 500g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese 500g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 250g (1 cup) crumbled feta cheese 250g (1 cup) crumbled feta cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, warm milk, eggs, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. 2.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. 3.
   Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a baking dish with butter.
5. 5.
   Roll out one portion of the dough into a thin rectangle that fits the size of the baking dish.
6. 6.
   Place the rolled-out dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter.
7. 7.
   In a bowl, mix together the mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, minced garlic, parsley, and dill.
8. 8.
   Spread a layer of the cheese mixture evenly over the dough in the baking dish.
9. 9.
   Repeat steps 5-8 with the remaining dough and cheese mixture, stacking the layers on top of each other.
10. 10.
    Brush the top layer with melted butter and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheese — Make sure to use a combination of mozzarella and feta cheese for the perfect balance of flavors. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, such as sulguni or imeruli, for an authentic Georgian taste.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispy top layer, brush the dough with melted butter before baking.
• For a more intense flavor, add a pinch of ground black pepper to the cheese mixture.
• Achma is best served warm, straight from the oven, but it can also be enjoyed at room temperature.

Serving advice

Serve Achma as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or as a side dish alongside traditional Georgian dishes like khachapuri or grilled meats.

Presentation advice

When serving Achma, cut it into squares or rectangles to showcase the beautiful layers. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill, for an added touch of freshness.