Georgian Beef Kharcho Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat) 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 cups (950ml) beef broth 4 cups (950ml) beef broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sour cream and fresh herbs, for serving Sour cream and fresh herbs, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
3. 3.
   Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, paprika, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
4. 4.
   Return the beef to the pot and add the chopped walnuts, lemon juice, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Serve the Georgian Beef Kharcho Soup hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose a tender cut of beef such as chuck or stewing beef for the best results. Trim any excess fat before cubing.
• Walnuts — Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry pan before chopping them. This will enhance their flavor and add a pleasant crunch to the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a chopped chili pepper.
• If you prefer a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup before serving.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. The flavors tend to develop even more after a day or two.

Serving advice

Serve the Georgian Beef Kharcho Soup hot with a side of crusty bread or traditional Georgian cornbread (Mchadi). The sour cream and fresh herb garnish add a creamy and refreshing touch to the soup.

Presentation advice

When serving the soup, ladle it into individual bowls and top each portion with a dollop of sour cream. Sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, on top for a pop of color.