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Gina pulling apart the crusty edge of a homemade adjaruli khachapuri to dip into the melted cheese and egg center

Gina's Adjaruli Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread Boat)

A boat-shaped bread stuffed with molten cheese, topped with a raw egg and butter, straight from Batumi's coastline to your kitchen table.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
  • 1 packet active dry yeast about 2 1/4 tsp
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb sulguni cheese or a mix of low-moisture mozzarella and feta, shredded/crumbled
  • 4 eggs one per khachapuri
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter cut into pats

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast, and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the yogurt and olive oil, then gradually mix in the flour and salt to form a soft dough.
  3. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, then cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.
  4. Divide the dough into two portions and roll each into an oval about half an inch thick.
  5. Fill the center of each oval with shredded cheese, then roll and pinch the long edges up into tall points, twisting the ends to form a boat shape.
  6. Fill the center of each boat generously with more shredded cheese and bake in a preheated 475°F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is deep golden.
  7. Remove from the oven, crack one egg into the center of each hot cheese pool, and return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the egg white sets but the yolk stays runny.
  8. Top each khachapuri with a pat of butter and serve immediately, stirring the egg and cheese together at the table before tearing and dipping the crust.

Notes

Watch the egg closely in the final minutes — carryover heat keeps cooking it even after the pan leaves the oven, so pull it while the yolk still looks slightly underdone.