Beef in tsakhton

4 servings

60 minutes

Beef in tsakhtone is a gem of Georgian cuisine, combining the tenderness of boiled meat with the spiciness of a fragrant sauce. Tsakhtone, made from sour cream, garlic, fresh cilantro, and aromatic spices, gives the dish a rich flavor with subtle notes of herbs and spices. The origins of this dish trace back to Georgian feast traditions where the harmony of natural ingredients and richness of flavors are valued. The uniqueness of beef in tsakhtone lies in its versatility: it can be served as a standalone dish, as part of a festive table or as a refreshing appetizer. After resting in the fridge, the taste becomes even more pronounced, allowing each piece of meat to absorb the juicy notes of the sauce. This recipe reflects Georgian hospitality where every meal turns into an art of enjoying food.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 268.9
• Proteins: 20.6g
• Fats: 19.5g
• Carbohydrates: 2.9g

Ingredients

• Fresh cilantro (coriander): 1 bunch
• Beef: 400 g
• Sour cream: 180 g
• Garlic: 2 clove
• Red chilli pepper: 0.5 pc
• Khmeli-suneli: 0.5 tsp
• Salt: to taste

Cooking steps

1. Wash the meat and place it in a pot of boiling water.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef: 400 g

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, skim off the foam, and simmer for 40-60 minutes. Add salt closer to the end of cooking.

   Required ingredients:

   • Salt:  to taste

3. Cool the meat and cut it into strips across the fibers.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef: 400 g

4. Prepare the tsakhton: peel the garlic and chop it finely or pass it through a garlic press. Wash the greens, dry them, and chop.

   Required ingredients:

   • Garlic: 2 cloves
   • Fresh cilantro (coriander): 1 bunch

5. Wash the hot pepper, dry it, cut the pod and remove the seeds. Cut the required amount of pepper and dice it into small cubes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Red chilli pepper: 0.5 piece

6. Place garlic, herbs, hot pepper, and a pinch of coarse salt in a mortar and grind (instead of a mortar, you can chop the herbs with garlic and pepper in a blender, in which case do not add salt).

   Required ingredients:

   • Garlic: 2 cloves
   • Fresh cilantro (coriander): 1 bunch
   • Red chilli pepper: 0.5 piece
   • Salt:  to taste

7. In a bowl, combine sour cream, chopped herbs with garlic and pepper, and add khmeli-suneli.

   Required ingredients:

   • Sour cream: 180 g
   • Fresh cilantro (coriander): 1 bunch
   • Garlic: 2 cloves
   • Red chilli pepper: 0.5 piece
   • Khmeli-suneli: 0.5 teaspoon

8. Mix the sauce well, season with salt to taste, and add some spices if needed.

   Required ingredients:

   • Salt:  to taste
   • Khmeli-suneli: 0.5 teaspoon

9. Pour sauce over the meat and mix. Place the meat in a container in the fridge and let it marinate for 1 hour.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef: 400 g
   • Sour cream: 180 g