Equipment
* optional
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 500 g red kidney beans, cooked, rinsed and drained if canned
- 80 g red onion, finely diced
- 30 g fresh cilantro, chopped
- 15 g fresh parsley, chopped
Walnut Dressing (Baje)
- 75 g walnuts, toasted
- 2 garlic cloves
- 45 ml red wine vinegar
- 30 ml olive oil
- 3 g ground coriander
- 2 g blue fenugreek (utskho suneli)
- 1 g cayenne pepper
- 3 g salt
- 30 ml warm water
Garnish
- 50 g pomegranate seeds
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened, being careful not to burn them. Allow to cool completely.
Finely dice the red onion. If the onion is very sharp, soak the diced pieces in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry to reduce pungency.
In a food processor, combine the cooled walnuts, garlic, coriander, blue fenugreek, cayenne, and salt. Pulse until the nuts are finely ground.
Add the red wine vinegar and olive oil to the processor. Blend while slowly drizzling in the warm water until a thick, creamy paste forms. It should coat the back of a spoon but not be runny.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, diced onion, chopped cilantro, and parsley. Pour the walnut dressing over the mixture and fold gently until the beans are evenly coated.
Let the salad rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds.
Chef's Notes
- Blue Fenugreek (Utskho Suneli) is the secret to authentic Georgian flavor. If you cannot find it, a mix of regular fenugreek and a tiny pinch of curry powder is a passable substitute.
- Using high-quality walnuts is crucial as they provide the fat and body of the sauce. Avoid pre-chopped nuts which may be oxidized.
- This dish is traditionally served at room temperature, not ice-cold, to allow the nut oils and spices to express themselves fully.
- For an extra kick, add a teaspoon of adjika (Georgian chili paste) to the dressing.
- This recipe works excellently with other beans, such as butter beans or black beans, though red kidney is traditional.
Storage
Refrigerator: 4 days — Flavors meld and improve significantly after 24 hours.
