North Caucasus

Ayran[a] is a cold savory yogurt-based beverage that is consumed across Central Asia, and the Balkans, in Turkey and Iran. The principal ingredients are yogurt, water and salt. Herbs such as mint may be optionally added. Some varieties are carbonated. Ayran (cf. airag in Mongolian: 'mare milk', uyran (уйран) in Chuvash: 'buttermilk') is mentioned in Mahmud al-Kashgari's 11th century Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, although he did not give any information how ayran was made. The word is derived from the Old Turkic root adır- ("to separate"), cf. Turkish ayır- ("to separate").

Chanakhi is a traditional Georgian dish of lamb stew with tomatoes, aubergines, potatoes, greens, and garlic. Chanakhi is preferably prepared in individual clay pots and served with bread and cheese. The lamb is placed in the pot with the already-melted butter. Onions, eggplants, potatoes, chopped greens, and tomatoes are added in separate layers. After pouring the water, the dish is cooked slowly in the oven for 4.5-5 hours.