The Best of Afghan Cooking

This cookbook provides authentic Afghan recipes that reflect the country's rich culinary heritage, featuring ingredients like fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices. It includes over 225 recipes, with detailed introductions to the history and cultural traditions behind each dish.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Hippocrene Books Inc.,U.S.

The culinary heritage of Afghanistan is a captivating tapestry woven from the rich tapestry of its history and geography. Situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, the country has been a melting pot of diverse cultures and culinary influences for centuries. The ancient city of Kabul, once a bustling hub for European, Chinese, and Indian merchants, intellectuals, and spiritual leaders, played a pivotal role in shaping the country's culinary identity.

To this day, the Afghans continue to cherish the tradition of preparing food with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. In most villages, the flour is still ground in traditional mills, and cows are milked daily, resulting in the production of fresh butter and yogurt. Kabobs, a beloved Afghan dish, are meticulously seasoned with a blend of delicate spices before being grilled to perfection. A variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs, along with lentils and meat, are used to create mouthwatering traditional stews known as "qurmas."

Considered the national dish of Afghanistan, rice dishes called "palow" are cooked with a blend of meat, onions, and a symphony of distinctive spices such as cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. The dough, prepared with fresh ingredients, is shaped into bread, cookies, and cakes before being baked in a preheated ground oven called a "tandoor."

In addition to these savory delights, Afghanistan is renowned for its aromatic spices and crunchy roasted nuts, which are combined with fresh milk and wheat to create unique desserts that are simple to prepare but deliver impressive results. One such dessert is "halwa," a sweet confection made with flour, sugar, milk, and nuts that is drizzled with honey and saffron.

Kabul native Zarghuna Adel, a culinary expert with a lifetime of experience and extensive research, has brought together a collection of authentic Afghan recipes that were lost or forgotten during the course of four decades of war and displacement. This remarkable cookbook features over 225 recipes, each accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions and stunning color photographs.

Through her cookbook, Zarghuna Adel aims to preserve and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Afghanistan, sharing it with readers worldwide. The recipes in this volume are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Afghan people, who have managed to maintain their traditions and flavors even in the face of adversity. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a culinary enthusiast, this cookbook offers a glimpse into the soul of Afghan cuisine and a chance to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Afghan table.

Dimension: 254 x 177 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780781814430