Delicious Georgian Lobio Recipe with Red Beans

Begin by rinsing the red beans thoroughly under cold water. Allow the beans to soak in the water overnight to soften them.

After soaking, drain the water and cook the beans in fresh water until they are tender, which should take about an hour. Towards the end of cooking, be sure to add salt to enhance the flavor.

In a large pan, heat a mixture of vegetable oil and butter. Once hot, add the chopped onions and sauté until they become golden and fragrant.

Add the tomato paste, paprika, and khmeli-suneli to the onions. Stir everything together and let it cook for a few minutes so the spices can release their aromas.

Pour boiling water over the tomatoes to help remove their skins. Once peeled, blend the tomatoes until smooth.

Add the blended tomatoes to the sautéed onion mixture and season with salt. Let this simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes to develop the flavors.

Incorporate the cooked beans into the tomato mixture, along with some of the cooking water from the beans for additional flavor. It’s okay to keep a bit of the beans in the pot to mash them later for a creamier texture.

Allow the mixture to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring gently.

At the end of cooking, stir in the chopped garlic and fresh cilantro. Mix everything well and remove from heat.

Your Lobio is now ready to be served! Enjoy it hot and savor the rich flavors of this delectable Georgian dish. Bon appétit!