Avar Khinkal - Georgian Dumplings with a Twist

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the tomato sauce: For the tomato sauce:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the dough. Gradually add water and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt, and pepper for the filling. Set aside.
3. 3.
   On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass.
4. 4.
   Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal, creating a half-moon shape.
5. 5.
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
6. 6.
   In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil for the tomato sauce. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
7. 7.
   Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
8. 8.
   Serve the cooked dumplings with the tomato sauce, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground meat — Choose lean ground beef or lamb for a healthier option. Make sure the meat is well-seasoned for a flavorful filling.
• Crushed tomatoes — Opt for high-quality canned crushed tomatoes to ensure a rich and vibrant tomato sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the filling and tomato sauce in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices in the filling to customize the flavors to your liking.
• Serve the Avar Khinkal with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
• Leftover dumplings can be frozen and reheated for a quick and delicious meal later on.
• Don't overcrowd the pot when boiling the dumplings to ensure they cook evenly.

Serving advice

Serve the Avar Khinkal hot, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro. Accompany it with a side of yogurt or sour cream for a creamy contrast to the tangy tomato sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Avar Khinkal on a platter, drizzle the tomato sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh herbs for an appetizing presentation. Serve with a side of vibrant green salad to add color to the plate.