Lobiani

History

Lobiani is one of the great filled breads of Georgia in the Caucasus, a close cousin of the cheese-filled khachapuri. The dough is stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced kidney beans, often seasoned with fenugreek, coriander and smoked ham, then baked or pan-fried until golden. It is eaten as street food, a snack or a meal, and is especially popular on St. Barbara's Day in December. Simple, warming and deeply satisfying, it reflects the Georgians' mastery of filled breads.

Ingredients

• Pizza-style yeast dough (flour, water, yeast, salt, oil)
• Canned or cooked kidney beans
• Onion, finely diced
• Bacon or smoked ham, chopped
• Ground coriander
• Ground fenugreek (utskho suneli)
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Butter (for finishing)

How to Make

1. 1Make a simple yeast dough: combine 2 cups flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp oil and ¾ cup warm water. Knead until smooth, cover and rise 1 hour.
2. 2Fry onion and bacon in a pan until soft. Add drained, mashed kidney beans, coriander, fenugreek, salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes. Cool.
3. 3Divide dough into 4 balls. Flatten each, place a generous spoonful of bean filling in the centre, gather edges and pinch closed.
4. 4Flatten gently into a disc and cook in a dry pan over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side until golden.
5. 5Brush with butter immediately. Serve hot.

Known for it

• Salobie BiaRustaveli Theater, 17 Shota Rustaveli Ave, T'bilisi 0108, Georgia