Ostri, a beloved traditional Georgian dish, features tender beef stewed with a medley of seasoned vegetables, promising to captivate your taste buds with its rich flavors while providing the energy you need for a day filled with sightseeing or hiking.
This hearty dish has been a staple in Georgian kitchens for centuries, reflecting a culture where animal husbandry and agriculture have long been integral to the nation’s way of life. Family recipes, lovingly preserved through generations, allow many local housewives to whip up this richly spiced delicacy at a moment’s notice, using simple ingredients that are always within reach.
The classic recipe for ostri includes succulent beef, ripe tomatoes, aromatic onions, fragrant garlic, tomato paste, adjika, and an array of fresh herbs. A careful selection of spices and bay leaves adds an extra layer of flavor that makes this dish truly special. To prepare ostri, the beef is cut into medium-sized pieces and stewed in salted water along with bay leaves. As the meat cooks in its own juices, chopped garlic, onions, and herbs are added, followed by the adjika and tomato paste a bit later in the process. The result is a tantalizing meat dish enveloped in a spicy sauce brimming with vegetables, herbs, and seasonings.
Ostri is typically served with hot shoti bread, baked in a traditional tone oven, which is a staple of Georgian cuisine. Accompanying the dish are fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, vibrant herbs, and an assortment of traditional Georgian pickled delicacies, such as jonjoli sprouts, pink cabbage marinated with beets, and canned garlic and green bell peppers. This combination not only enhances the meal but also showcases the rich culinary heritage of Georgia.