Chikhirtma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chikhirtma

A plate of chikhirtma
Type	Soup
Place of origin	Georgia
Main ingredients	Meat (Turkey or chicken), eggs.

Chikhirtma (Georgian: ჩიხირთმა) is a yummy, traditional Georgian soup. It's a special kind of soup because it usually doesn't have many vegetables in it. Instead, it gets its rich flavor from meat and a unique way of thickening.

What is Chikhirtma?

Chikhirtma is known for its smooth, creamy texture. It's made with a tasty chicken or turkey broth. What makes it unique is how it's thickened. Instead of flour or vegetables, it uses beaten eggs and something acidic, like lemon juice.

How is Chikhirtma Made?

Making Chikhirtma is a bit like a science experiment! Here's how it's done:

The Broth and Thickener

• First, a rich broth is made from chicken or turkey.
• Then, eggs (sometimes just the yolks) are beaten.
• A little warm broth is mixed with the eggs.
• Next, a bit of flour (often cornmeal) is added to this egg mixture.
• Finally, something sour, like pomegranate juice or lemon juice, is stirred in. This helps make the soup smooth and prevents the eggs from scrambling.

Mixing it All Together

• This special egg mixture is slowly poured into the hot broth.
• It's super important to stir constantly for about 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the eggs blend perfectly into the soup, making it thick and creamy.
• This clever way of adding uncooked eggs to hot soup came from Ancient Persia a long time ago. It helps create a smooth, delicious mix of broth and eggs.

Adding Flavor

• Before the meat is taken out of the broth, some flour and onion are added to the soup.
• Chikhirtma gets its amazing taste from many different spices and herbs.
• Common Georgian spices like chili powder, tagetes (a type of marigold), and fresh leaves of coriander, basil, parsley, and celery are used.
• Other special ingredients include cinnamon, peppermint, and coriander seeds. These spices give Chikhirtma its unique and delicious flavor!