Afghanistan Lunch

Blogging marathon is synonymous to my blogging and the themes I pick for the blog...every six months this team brings to you a mega marathon month where we post almost daily...this month we plan to take you around the world in 30 days.
We are visiting countries alphabetically so you may find this ride a little baffling with me taking you sometimes to my own continent and suddenly jump skipping to the europe, africas and americas...which ever place I take you to...I promise to bring you the most authentic, recipes that can be doable in your very kitchen.

With this let me take off my food flight to our first destination...

If you have read Khalid Hossieni's novels  you would fall in love with this country. Even with the direct references to the terrorism and tensions around you cannot fail to notice the mountainous landscape. Back in school, you may have read about Khyber pass. It always intrigued me to think about how the pass would have actually been...life sometimes makes you wonder whether you would ever be able to visit places that fascinate you. In my wildest dream I cannot imagine visiting this place in the near future...but the world is changing to become a better and beautiful place. While I wait for that to happen no one stops me from visiting the food culture and adapt it for my kitchen and my families taste.

I have made the various dishes a couple of times however doing it together for one meal required a lot of hard work. You may want to also read about the Afghani lunch preparation ritual. Most house wives get together to prepare an elaborate meal which can easily consume 3-4 hours of the day. Their dishes are a combination of hard laborious process that we find in Indian cuisines and the panache of European fine dine cuisine that is apparent in its presentations.

Today's meal also indicates this kind of community cooking. Although I ended up making all of it myself...I really missed having the extra pair of hands and the chit chat that comes along when you cook with your family. 

Afghani meal mostly consists of meat dishes but have a great variety for vegetarians as well.  





The meal above has the Famous Ashak, Bulani, Carrot and Raisin Kabuli Pilaf, Yogurt and Sheer Pira.



Ashak is an heartfilling appetiser which for me was a meal in itself...but for the hard working ....read more to get the recipe.

Bulani is a beautiful substitute for your every day parathas with some unusual fillings and different shape...read more to get the recipe


Carrot and Raisin Kabuli Pilaf is usually made using lamb meat, my vegetarian option also tastes wonderful and is ...read more to get the recipe

Garlic Yogurt is a side dish so simple to make...read more to get the recipe


Sheer Pira has been a resident sweet since last year diwali when I made it first. Such a simple...read more to get the recipe



The meal was delicious and elaborate...but worth the efforts...stay tune for the next country...



Comments

Srivalli said…
OMG Pradyna, you are too much!..what a lovely spread..girl you are rocking..loved reading about the entire spread..will come back to check on the individual posts..great job and a wonderful start!..what a surprise man..
Usha said…
You made so many dishes for the country? Awesome!
Wow! What a spread! Lot of work but it looks so appetizing.
Unknown said…
love the spread dear
Pavani said…
Oh my goodness, that is just an amazing spread of Afghani food Pradnya. I think I learnt the most about Afghanistan from reading Khalid Hossieni's novels and even with the grey shades he has in the story, I can still visualize how beautiful the country is (was??).
Looking forward to your posts in this mega marathon. I'm sure it's going to be a virtual treat for all of us.
Chef Mireille said…
wow - I am floored with all the work you have put in - everything looks so fabulous
Beautifully written and beautifully executed. .love all the dishes here. Since I made from the same country I read about all these dishes..but made just one..but truly a fantastic job dear.Kudos.
Padmajha said…
What as awesome start to this series Pradnya!! And lovely choices for the thali. Looking forward to the other posts in this series :)
Awesome Pradnya!! Afghani thali looks scrumptious! I too made Afghani, loved it!!! :)
Kalyani said…
My my my !!! someone's surely creating a splash... u have outdone urself Pradnya .. great job.. cant wait to read the dishes...

Suma Gandlur said…
Wow, that is a lovey spread, Pradnya. Are you cooking such elaborate dishes for all the countries? Kudos to you.
Foodiliciousnan said…
I love his books too...and i agree there is a romance to the place despite all the violence...and hats off to your spread and the efforts!
Priya Suresh said…
Gal you have kick started mega Bm with such a fabulous thali, can imagine how delicious those dishes will be, now am curious to know about your other dishes.
Wow ! hats off Pradanya , spread looks awesome. Amazing way to start the marathon..
Unknown said…
OMG hats off to you girl a full meal from the country superb..
Unknown said…
OMG hats off to you girl a full meal from the country superb..
Harini R said…
Lovely spread Pradnya. Hats off to you if you intend doing thalis for all the countries!!
Suja Ram said…
Such a fabulous work dear. All the dishes looks so nice and loved your detailed write-up as well. Kudos!!
Unknown said…
omg women you have sent me speech less :) thats a fabulous spread dear :) fabulous is nothing actually.. You have done a great job with your letter A :)wonderful post dear !!
Unknown said…
That's one awesome spread of dishes.. Yum.
Gayathri Kumar said…
That is an amzing spread Pradnya. Shir pira has been in my to do list for long. I am adding a lot of dishes to the list today.
Archana said…
Pradnya awesome spread. I know you have spreads and spreads this marathon but this is amazingly delicious .

Popular Posts