Dovğa (Azerbaijani Yogurt and Herb Soup)
In short: A tangy yogurt soup thick with chopped herbs, rice and chickpeas, finished with mint butter. Serve it hot in winter or chilled in summer. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 280 kcal
Dovğa is a yogurt soup packed with chopped herbs, with a little rice and chickpeas to give it body. Azerbaijanis serve it hot in cold weather and chilled in summer, often with a drizzle of melted butter and dried mint on top. The one rule is patience: stir constantly and never let it boil hard, or the yogurt will curdle.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a large pot, add the rice and 1/2 tsp of the salt and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chickpeas and lower the heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt, egg and flour until completely smooth, then whisk in 250 ml (1 cup) of cold water.
- Whisk a ladle of the hot rice liquid into the yogurt mixture to warm it, then another. Pour the mixture slowly into the pot, stirring constantly.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring in one direction, for 10 to 12 minutes until it just reaches a gentle simmer. Do not let it boil hard.
- Add the herbs and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Melt the butter in a small pan, stir in the dried mint for 10 seconds and spoon it over the soup. Serve hot, or chill for 2 hours and serve cold.
Tips
- Use full-fat yogurt. Low-fat yogurt splits much more easily, and the flour and egg only help so much.
- To serve it cold in summer, chill the soup before adding the butter and mint. Thin it with a splash of cold water if it thickens in the fridge.
Questions and answers
Why did my dovğa curdle?
The heat was too high or the yogurt went in without tempering. Whisk in a little hot liquid first, stir constantly and keep the soup at a gentle simmer.
Can I serve dovğa cold?
Yes. Many Azerbaijanis eat it chilled in summer. Cool it quickly, refrigerate for 2 hours and thin it with a little water if needed.
Can I use Greek yogurt in dovğa?
Yes, but thin it with extra water, since Greek yogurt is much thicker. Add about 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) more water and taste for salt.
How long does it take to make Dovğa (Azerbaijani Yogurt and Herb Soup)?
About 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dovğa (Azerbaijani Yogurt and Herb Soup)?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
