Churchkhela and gozinaki in Georgian
Georgian sweet dishes are rightfully considered some of the most unusual, delicious, and widespread among many countries in Europe and Asia. Desserts are sometimes made from the most unusual ingredients, with the addition of spicy ingredients, making them even more exquisite. Georgian chefs select only the highest quality and most delicious ingredients to prepare delicacies for family and friends, so anyone who attempts desserts should do the same. So, let's explore this abundance of deliciousness.
Georgian secrets
Perhaps most often, Georgians use natural ingredients in their sweets: nuts, honey, berries, fruits, etc. They pay particular attention to jam, making it from rose petals, eggplant, nuts, and other ingredients. Sometimes, true gurus of their craft create such flavors that you want to eat them again and again.
One of the traditional Georgian sweet dishes is churchkhela. We've all tried it on the beach or bought it at the store, but it's much more delicious when made at home using "secret" ingredients. To prepare this interesting dessert with grape juice and nuts, you need to prepare everything in advance. You can use just one type of nut, for example, walnuts or hazelnuts, or you can make a mixture. Lightly toast them for flavor and set aside. You can also add prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits or seeds to this mixture. In the past, many Georgian villages kept the recipe secret.
So, it is necessary:
- Mixed nuts 350 g
- Strong cotton thread (40 cm)
- Thick needle
- Natural grape juice 2 l
- Corn flour 200 gr
- Baking paper
- Sugar to taste
First, you need to pour off a liter of grape juice and set it aside. We'll use the rest to make the jelly. Place it in a container on the stove and cook for 10-15 minutes. Add cornflour to the reserved grape juice and stir thoroughly. Then, gradually pour this flour mixture into the juice while it's cooking. Pour it in gradually, stirring constantly.
Thread the nuts onto a thread, making a dessert about 25 cm long. Then, slowly dip the thread into the jelly, using a wooden spatula to help it "stick" in. The nuts should be thoroughly soaked. Hang the resulting "sausage" on the thread, line the bottom with baking paper to prevent contamination, and leave to dry for about 20 minutes. Then repeat the entire process several times until you achieve the desired thickness, which you can choose yourself.
Georgian gozinaki
Another dish that seems familiar to us all—gozinaki, or kozinaki—also has Georgian origins. This traditionally delicious combination of nuts, sugar, honey, and seeds is not only delicious but also healthy. Quite often, we buy similar desserts at the store, only to find rotten nuts or damp seeds. It's better to make everything yourself at home, especially using secret Georgian techniques. To prepare gozinaki, you'll need:
- 1 kg of nuts
- 1 kg of honey
As you can see, the ingredients are quite simple. You can use just one type of nuts, or you can make a mix of different seeds, dried fruits, and nuts. It will be incredibly delicious.
First, toast the nuts in a dry frying pan. Be careful not to over-toast them, otherwise the flavor will be completely different. After toasting, chop or finely chop them with a knife. Pour the honey into a jam-making container and place it on the stove to simmer. Cook until it thickens so that it doesn't run all over the plate, but rather forms a single, large drop.
Once the honey has boiled down, add the nuts and boil again. Continue this process until it begins to smell toasted. Remove from heat and place the thick mixture on a wooden board, moistened with water. Smooth it out with a rolling pin. The layer should be about 2 centimeters thick. Wet all wooden utensils with water to prevent the mixture from sticking. Place the mixture in a cool place. Once it hardens, cut it into diamonds or squares with a knife.
These wonderful desserts will delight you and your family for many years!
