Ostri (Spicy Georgian Beef Stew) recipe

Ingredients

• 1 kg beef chuck, in 3 cm cubes
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 400 g crushed tomatoes
• 3 pickled cucumbers, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 to 2 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp khmeli suneli
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 2 tbsp oil, salt, bay leaf

Method

1. Cover the beef with water, add a bay leaf and simmer for 1 hour. Keep 300 ml of the broth.
2. Fry the onions in the oil until golden, then stir in the tomato paste for 2 minutes.
3. Add the beef, crushed tomatoes, pickles, chili and the broth. Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until thick.
4. Stir in the crushed garlic, spices and salt and cook 5 more minutes.
5. Finish with chopped cilantro. Serve with fried potatoes or bread.

Tamara's tip: Ostri means "sharp", but you decide how sharp. Start with 1 teaspoon of chili and add more at the end.