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Bazhe
Bazhe: smooth western Georgian walnut sauce with garlic and blue fenugreek
Bazhe is the creamy walnut sauce of Guria, Samegrelo and Imereti, served cold with fried fish, roast chicken, boiled vegetables or a bowl of ghomi; families in Ozurgeti make it in large bowls for New Year. Walnuts are ground until they give up their oil, then let down with water and seasoned with garlic, blue fenugreek, coriander and a sour note until the sauce is pale, smooth and pourable. A common mistake is adding all the water at once; the sauce separates and turns thin and grey. Chef's tip: squeeze out a little walnut oil by kneading the paste with your hand, then drizzle it back over the finished sauce for a glossy, golden finish.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 7 oz walnuts
- 3 cloves garlic
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp hot paprika
- 1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegaror pomegranate juice
- 1 cup cold water
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Grind 7 oz walnuts with 3 cloves garlic and ¾ tsp salt in a food processor for 3–4 minutes, scraping down, until it forms a damp, oily paste.
4 minStep 2: Add 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp blue fenugreek (utskho-suneli), ½ tsp ground marigold (Imeretian saffron) and ¼ tsp hot paprika and blend again.
Step 3: With the motor running, add 1 cup cold water a little at a time, then 1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegar, until the sauce is smooth, pale and pourable like double cream. Common mistake: pouring the water in all at once; it splits.
Step 4: Taste and add more salt or vinegar. Rest for 30 minutes before serving, then stir and loosen with a spoon of water if it has thickened.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bazhe take?
- About 20 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of walnuts?
- Pecans or chocolate chips, same amount.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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