Khachapuri - Georgian Pies

Since the summer, I've cooked these Georgian cheese pies, or khachapuri, at least 5 times. From the very first time I managed to impress my family and, for a while, they kept asking for these pies even more than for pizza. Usually, khachapuri is made of a mixture of soft and yellow cheese with a raw yolk, or even a whole egg, in the middle. 

My little girl finds it hard to eat the egg, so I always make a simple no egg khachapuri for her. So, you can adjust the recipe to your preferences.

I even tried to bake these pies in the wood oven. They are delicious, but I don't recommend brushing with eggwash as they might burn too quickly on top. Other than that, they are wonderful, good-looking, tasty and crispy. You really should try them!

Ingredients
Active dry yeast
10 g
or 25g fresh yeast
Sugar
2 tsp
Water
250 ml
Milk
125 ml
Salt
1 tsp
Vegetable oil
1 tbsp
White flour
500 g
or a bit more, if needed
Yellow cheese
500 g
Feta cheese
300 g
Egg
7 pieces
Butter
50 g
Step by step
Step 1

Combine yeast with 250ml lukewarm water and 2 tsp sugar.

Let stand until foamy.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 1
Step 2

Pour this mixture into a bigger bowl and add the milk, salt, oil and flour.

Start mixing the dough, at first with a spoon or a spatula.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 2
Step 3

Then knead with your hands, turn dough onto the table to work it easier.

If dough is too soft and sticky, add some more flour, but not too much more. Just enough to not stick to your hands anymore and to be easier to knead.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 3
Step 4

After kneading the dough, return to the bowl and let rise for about 30-40 minutes.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 4
Step 5

Meanwhile, grate the white and yellow cheese through the medium holes. This is for the filling.

Mix and set aside for a bit.

 

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 5
Step 6

Now divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 6
Step 7

Shape into balls and let rest on the table for 10 minutes.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 7
Step 8

Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball into an oval, about 4mm thick.

Dust with some flour, so that the dough won't stick to the table when you are working it.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 8
Step 9

Transfer the oval to a large baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.

Spoon a handful of the cheese filling and spread evenly over the whole surface of the oval.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 9
Step 10

Pull the dough's edges up, fold over the filling, press to seal.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 10
Step 11

Twist the ends to form a boat shape.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 11
Step 12

Now spread another handful of the cheese filling in the middle (not on the edges!) of the boat.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 12
Step 13

This is how you make the first 3 boats, notice they fit perfectly into the large oven sheet.

Allow 15 minutes to rise at room temperature.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 13
Step 14

Then brush with eggwash and bake in the preheated oven to 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly brown.

While the first boats are baking, prepare the next 3 boats and let rise.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 14
Step 15

When they are almost done, remove from the oven. Form a well in the centre of each khachapuri using a spoon.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 15
Step 16

Carefully separate an egg and place the yolk in the well in the centre of each pie.

Often times I used the whole egg, without separating the yolk from the whites, both ways are delicious.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 16
Step 17

Notice the boat in the middle doesn't have an egg, it was made especially for my little daughter, she doesn't like it with egg. So, here is another option.

Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 5 minutes, for egg to set.

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 17
Step 18

When pies are done, remove from the oven and spread 2 small pieces of butter on top, let melt slowly. After 10-15 minutes, you can serve the khachapuri and savour with great delight!

Enjoy!

Khachapuri - Georgian Pies - Step 18
Quantity: 6 pcs ()
Prep time:
60 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 60 min