Ostri, Traditional Georgian Dishes

Ostri, a traditional Georgian meat dish of tender beef stewed with seasoned vegetables, is sure to delight you with its rich flavors while giving you energy for a full day of sightseeing or hiking.

Ostri has been prepared for many centuries in Georgia, a country where animal husbandry and agriculture have long been central to the nation’s livelihood. Meticulously preserved family recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, and today many local housewives can still cook this richly spiced Georgian dish at a moment’s notice using basic ingredients which are always on hand.

In addition to beef, the traditional Georgian ostri recipe includes tomatoes, onions, garlic, tomato paste, adjika and fresh herbs. Various spices and bay leaves give the dish an extra special flavor. To prepare ostri, the meat is cut into medium-sized pieces and stewed in salted water along with the bay leaves. Chopped garlic, onions and herbs are added to the meat as it cooks in its own juice, while the adjika and tomato paste are added a little later. The end result is a tantalizing meat dish which is served in a spicy sauce of vegetables, herbs and seasonings.

Hot shoti bread baked in a tone oven, a staple in Georgian cuisine, is served alongside ostri. Cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs and traditional Georgian pickled products including jonjoli sprouts, pink cabbage marinated with beets and canned garlic and green bell peppers are also often placed on the table.