Bazhe

December 7, 2022

Bazhe - kvalifood.com

Bazhe is a cold walnut sauce from Georgia, served with poultry, fish, or vegetables. It is made from raw walnuts ground to a fine paste, thinned with water, and seasoned with the classic Georgian spice combination of blue fenugreek, dried marigold, coriander, and chili. The consistency should fall somewhere between thick sour cream and gravy. It is always served at room temperature or chilled.

Makes ca. 300 ml

Ingredients

200 g walnuts, raw
2 cloves garlic (ca. 10 g)
1 tsp ground blue fenugreek (utskho suneli)
1 tsp ground dried marigold petals (imeruli saffron)
1 tsp ground coriander seed
1/2 tsp red chili pepper powder (or Aleppo pepper)
1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
100-150 ml cold water
salt, to taste
walnut oil, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Grind the walnuts in a food processor or meat grinder until they form a fine, oily paste. Stop before they turn into walnut butter.
Crush or grate the garlic to a paste. Combine with the ground walnuts in a mixing bowl.
Add the blue fenugreek, marigold, coriander, and chili pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Stir in the vinegar.
Add cold water a couple of tablespoons at a time, stirring well after each addition. Continue until the sauce reaches the consistency of thick sour cream – it should pour slowly but not be runny.
Press the mixture with the back of a spoon against the side of the bowl to help release walnut oils and create a smoother texture.
Season with salt. The sauce should taste savory, nutty, and subtly spiced.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with walnut oil if desired and serve at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

Bazhe thickens as it sits. Thin with a small amount of cold water before serving if made ahead.
Keeps in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Traditional pairings: boiled or roasted chicken, grilled fish, roasted vegetables, eggplant rolls, ghomi (cornmeal porridge), mchadi (corn bread).
For a tangier version, add 1 tbsp pomegranate juice or pomegranate molasses.
Fresh cilantro (2-3 tbsp, finely chopped) can be mixed in – a regional addition.