Tomato Cucumber Salad with Walnut Sauce

ნიგვზის საკმაზი / Nigvzis Sakmazi

Walnut pasta is a cornerstone of much Georgian food. One of our favorites, especially during summer, is the cucumber and tomato salad with walnut sauce. 

ნიგვზის საკმაზი / Nigvzis Sakmazi

MAKES about 240ml/ 8f oz /1 cup 

PREPARATION 10 minutes

150g / 5oz /1½ cups walnut halves 
12g /⅓oz / 3 garlic cloves, or more to taste
tsp coriander seeds, crushed 
¼ tsp ground fenugreek 
1 tsp salt 1 tbsp chopped mint
3 tbsp chopped coriander/ cilantro leaves
1 tsp minced dill fresh chilli, to taste
¼ cup water

Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until you have an even paste. Some dishes are best with a more granular mixture while others call for a smoother texture – there are no rigid rules. 

Store tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze small batches of the paste, wrapped in foil for quick use at a later date. This paste is quite concentrated and should always be loosened with a little water before being used, so follow individual recipes to see how much liquid is required.

კიტრის და პომიდვრის სალათი ნიგვზით /Tomato Cucumber Salad with Walnut Sauce

Slice tomatoes and cucumbers and place in a salad bowl. To make a tasty but light dressing for the salad stir 2 tablespoons of water into 2 tablespoons of paste in a small bowl, mix well and pour over the salad.

 RECIPE SOURCE

Tasting Georgia: A Food and Wine Journey in the Caucasus by Carla Capalbo

Discover more recipes of vibrant, colorful Georgian cuisine and make them real.

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