Description
Warm Georgian imeruli khachapuri brings melted cheese wrapped in golden, flaky dough straight from mountain kitchens. Savory comfort blends regional ingredients into a hearty slice of culinary tradition you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Bread Dough):
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) warm milk
- 0.75 teaspoon (3.75 ml) instant yeast
- 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
Cheese Filling:
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) grated mozzarella cheese (or sulguni if available)
- 0.67 cup (160 ml) crumbled feta cheese (or imeruli if available)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational dough by combining flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a spacious mixing vessel, gradually incorporating warm milk until a cohesive mixture develops.
- Vigorously knead the dough on a lightly dusted surface for approximately 5 minutes, ensuring a smooth and elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
- Transfer the dough to a greased container, drape with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to proof in a draft-free environment until it expands to double its original volume, roughly 90 minutes.
- While the dough rises, craft the cheese blend by thoroughly mixing mozzarella, feta, and egg until the ingredients form a uniform, creamy filling.
- Deflate the risen dough and partition it into two equal segments, carefully rolling each portion into circular shapes approximately 9-10 inches in diameter.
- Distribute the cheese mixture centrally on each dough circle, then delicately fold and pinch the edges, creating a secure seal that encapsulates the filling completely.
- Position the assembled parcels on a lightly floured baking sheet, permitting a brief secondary rise of 15-20 minutes to enhance volume and texture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium flame, cooking each khachapuri for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring the cheese filling becomes molten and effervescent.
- Enhance the bread’s richness by brushing with butter during the cooking process, which contributes depth and a luxurious sheen.
- Remove from heat, slice into wedges, and serve immediately while maintaining optimal warmth and gooey cheese consistency.
Notes
- Achieve a soft, elastic dough by kneading thoroughly and allowing proper rising time, which ensures a light, airy texture for the khachapuri.
- Mix different cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and regional Georgian cheeses for complex flavor profiles and varied texture.
- Use medium heat when cooking to prevent burning while ensuring the bread browns evenly and the cheese melts perfectly.
- Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the dough’s structure and elasticity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Georgian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg