Dovga is a traditional Azerbaijani yogurt soup that holds a special place in the cuisine of Azerbaijan. This dish is often served warm or cold, making it versatile for various seasons. It's particularly cherished during festive occasions, weddings, and family gatherings. Dovga's base of yogurt combined with fresh herbs, rice, and chickpeas makes it both nourishing and refreshing, providing a harmonious balance of tanginess and earthiness. The soup showcases the Azerbaijani love for dairy and fresh herbs, highlighting the culinary tradition of using simple, wholesome ingredients to create comforting dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup short-grain rice
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked until tender
- 6 cups plain yogurt
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 bunch fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: Sumac and red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Yogurt Base:
In a large pot, combine yogurt, water (or vegetable broth), and rice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent curdling. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
2. Add Fresh Herbs and Chickpeas:
Stir in the cooked chickpeas, dill, mint, cilantro, and minced garlic. Lower the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
3. Temper the Eggs:
In a bowl, whisk together eggs and flour. Gradually add a ladleful of hot soup into the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs and avoid curdling. Slowly pour the egg mixture back into the pot, stirring continuously.
4. Season and Finish Cooking:
Season the soup with salt and black pepper. Continue to simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes, ensuring the rice is fully cooked.
5. Add Olive Oil and Serve:
Drizzle olive oil over the soup and stir gently. Serve hot or cold, garnished with sumac and red pepper flakes for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition Value:
1. 1 cup short-grain rice
- Calories: 200
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Small amounts of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Minerals: Manganese, phosphorus
- Nutritional benefit: Rice provides a good source of energy through its carbohydrate content, while also supplying essential minerals like manganese, which aids in metabolism.
2. 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked until tender
- Calories: 270
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B6
- Minerals: Iron, magnesium, potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients such as iron and magnesium, supporting digestive health and helping maintain energy levels.
3. 6 cups plain yogurt
- Calories: 480
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 36g
- Fat: 18g
- Sodium: 300mg (varies by brand)
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin B12, riboflavin (B2)
- Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus
- Nutritional benefit: Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, which promote gut health, as well as calcium for bone health and high-quality protein.
4. 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- Calories: 0 (water), 10–40 calories (vegetable broth, depending on the recipe)
- Carbohydrates: 0g (water), 1–4g (vegetable broth)
- Protein: 0g (water), 1g (vegetable broth)
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: Varies with the broth (can be high depending on the brand)
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Small amounts of vitamins from vegetables in broth
- Minerals: Small amounts of minerals depending on broth
- Nutritional benefit: Water hydrates, while vegetable broth can provide small amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on the ingredients.
5. 1 bunch fresh dill, finely chopped (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 10
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, vitamin C
- Minerals: Calcium, iron
- Nutritional benefit: Dill is low in calories but provides a burst of flavor along with vitamins A and C, which support immune health and vision.
6. 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 15
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, vitamin C
- Minerals: Iron, calcium
- Nutritional benefit: Mint aids digestion and offers antioxidants such as vitamins A and C, while also providing a refreshing flavor.
7. 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, vitamin K
- Minerals: Potassium, manganese
- Nutritional benefit: Cilantro is rich in antioxidants and offers a strong flavor while providing small amounts of important vitamins and minerals.
8. 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Calories: 15
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, vitamin B6
- Minerals: Manganese, selenium
- Nutritional benefit: Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties and potential to support heart health and boost the immune system.
9. 2 eggs
- Calories: 140
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Cholesterol: 372mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin D, vitamin B12, choline
- Minerals: Selenium, phosphorus
- Nutritional benefit: Eggs provide high-quality protein, essential fats, and important vitamins like B12 and choline, supporting brain and nerve health.
10. 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Calories: 30
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Small amounts of B vitamins
- Minerals: Iron, selenium
- Nutritional benefit: Flour adds texture and thickening to dishes, and while not highly nutritious, it does provide small amounts of essential nutrients like iron.
11. Salt to taste
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: Varies depending on the amount used
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional benefit: Salt enhances flavor and provides sodium, which is important for fluid balance in the body. However, it should be consumed in moderation.
12. Ground black pepper to taste
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin K
- Minerals: Manganese, iron
- Nutritional benefit: Black pepper aids digestion and provides small amounts of vitamins and minerals, adding spice and flavor to dishes.
13. 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Calories: 240
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 28g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin E
- Minerals: Small amounts of iron
- Nutritional benefit: Olive oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health.
14. Optional: Sumac and red pepper flakes for garnish
- Calories: Negligible
- Carbohydrates: Negligible
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Small amounts of vitamin C in sumac
- Minerals: Sumac contains small amounts of antioxidants
- Nutritional benefit: These garnishes add flavor without adding significant calories or nutrients. Sumac has a tangy flavor and offers antioxidants, while red pepper flakes provide heat and may boost metabolism.
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