Georgian Khinkali (Spiced Beef Dumplings)

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Want to make hearty khinkali with seasoned beef and lamb-tail fat, Georgian-style, that everyone will love? Start by gathering all your ingredients and spices for this fragrant, juicy Caucasian classic.

2. Step 2:

   

   For the dough, pour 230 ml (about 1 cup) of cold boiled water into a mug, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and stir well.

3. Step 3:

   

   Sift 500 g (about 4 cups) of all-purpose flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Slowly pour in the salted water and knead into a stiff dough.

4. Step 4:

   

   Keep kneading the dough well in the bowl for 15 minutes.

5. Step 5:

   

   Turn the dough out onto the counter and knead it thoroughly for another 7 minutes, then put it in a plastic bag and chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.

6. Step 6:

   

   For the filling, put 500 g of the beef-and-lamb-fat mixture into a deep bowl.

7. Step 7:

   

   Finely grate one garlic clove, then coarsely grate one medium onion, and add both to the bowl with the meat. Add 1 teaspoon of mixed ground peppercorns and 1/3 teaspoon of hot chili pepper, and mix everything together.

8. Step 8:

   

   Coarsely chop 50 g of fresh cilantro, add it to the meat, and mix everything well.

9. Step 9:

   

   Pour 500 ml (about 2 cups) of cold boiled water into the meat a little at a time, mixing very well for 5 minutes until the filling is smooth and the right consistency (it should be loose and juicy).

10. Step 10:

    

    Take the dough out of the freezer, knead it briefly on the counter, and divide it into 19 roughly equal pieces of about 40 g each.

11. Step 11:

    

    Roll out each piece with a rolling pin into a round about 2 mm thick.

12. Step 12:

    

    Set a round on a small plate and spoon 1 tablespoon of the seasoned filling into the center.

13. Step 13:

    

    Gather the dough up around the filling in pleats — aim for about 18 folds.

14. Step 14:

    

    Press out the air and pinch off the top to form each khinkali, then set them on the counter.

15. Step 15:

    

    Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat, drop in the khinkali, and return to a boil. Cook them for 7 minutes, until done, then transfer to a plate.

16. Step 16:

    

    Cook together, keep it simple, and make the tastiest dishes at home from everyday ingredients with our recipes. Enjoy!