Georgian Lobio: Stewed Red Beans Dip Recipe

What happens when European, Middle Eastern, and West Asian roads intersect? Well, such a unique and exquisite thing as Caucasian cuisine emerges! We will teach you how to stew beans in a Georgian way.

As lobio means “bean”, you can guess that there are many types of “Lobois”, as there are a lot of ways how you can cook and serve beans.  Today’s recipe is “Dakepili lobio”. Do not miss such a great opportunity to learn how to cook this Georgian bean dip with our recipe!

Ingredients for a perfect Georgian red bean stew:

• 2 cups red kidney beans/pinto beans;
• 1 cup walnuts halves;
• 2 onions;
• 1-2 tsp. Khmeli Suneli (Georgian five-spice seasoning);
• 1-2 tsp. coriander powder;
• Salt and black pepper to taste;
• 3 garlic cloves;
• 1 bunch herbs (cilantro or parsley are more preferable);
• 5 tbsps. olive oil.

How to Make Cold Caucasus Lobio:

• Choose only one type of bean for your stew. If you cook several types of beans together, they will not be ready at the same time.
• Put beans in the pot with water and let them soak overnight before cooking.

• In the morning, drain all the water and rinse the beans. Put them into the pot again, cover them with fresh cold water, and bring it to a boil. Cook beans gently over medium heat for 1-1.5 hours. Beans should become tender. You can cover the pot; let the beans simmer under the lid.

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, chop the onion and sauté it for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft. Do not forget to stir it occasionally!

• After mixing khmeli suneli seasoning and coriander powder with onion; take the pan off the heat.

• Only then add nicely chopped herbs, finely ground walnuts, salt, and pepper to taste.

• Press garlic and stir all the ingredients together, let them soak in all the flavors.

• All the liquid that is left from boiling beans, is drained out and saved for later. Divide cooked beans into 2 equal parts.

• The first part blends into a nice mash. If the consistency of the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can always add the liquid from boiling that you saved earlier.

• Mix pureed and whole beans.

• The next step will be to transfer ingredients from the pan into a mixture of beans.

• All you need to do is to mix everything and leave it overnight in the fridge. And here you have a perfect bean stew from Caucasian cuisine. Bon appetite!

You see how it is easy to cook a perfect stew from beans. In addition, you can also incorporate a recipe from a cuisine that is new to you. You can use it as a dip sauce or a side dish. Try to incorporate such recipes from cuisines all over the world to make your meals more exciting!

Savor the rich and aromatic flavors that define this beloved Georgian dish. The combination of tender red beans, fragrant herbs, and warming spices creates a depth of flavor that is both comforting and satisfying. Whether enjoyed as a dip, spread, or side dish, this Lobio is sure to leave a lasting impression.

If you have Pinterest, feel free to pin the recipe! Share this delightful recipe with your friends and family!

Beyond its delicious taste, this recipe offers a glimpse into the vibrant culinary heritage of Georgia and the art of slow-cooking beans to perfection. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, it’s a dish that can be enjoyed by all, bringing people together to share in the warmth and hospitality of Georgian cuisine.