AFGHAN CUISINE
The Afghan people take great pride in the food they prepare and food is often used as way to honor & welcome people. Afghan cuisine is influenced by many of the groups who have invaded or passed thru Afghanistan. The two biggest influences on Afghan cooking come from the neighboring countries of Iran & India. Afghans use these influences to create recipes based on supplies they have available to them. Rice, dried fruits, nuts & dairy items are staples in many recipes.
Pilau is a special dish often prepared for guests. Instead of plain rice, the rice is cooked with vegetables and or meat. There are so many combinations of ingredients that can be used in pilau, that it is really up to the cook. Qabili pilau is considered the national dish of Afghanistan. It is rice with raisins, shredded carrot, almond & pistachio. It was once reserved for the upper class because the ingredients were expensive.
Another staple in Afghan cooking is naan bread. It is an oval shaped bread made from grains ground into flour and baked in a clay oven. Naan is especially important to people who live in villages who don't have access to a variety of foods like the people who live in bigger towns or cities. Naan has become quite popular in America. I actually have it quite often and it is delicious!
Mantu & kabobs are two favorite meat recipes. Mantu are meat filled dumplings that are often reserved for special occasions because they take a lot of time to prepare. Kabobs are small cubes of meat put on skewers with small pieces of fat and vegetables. The kabobs are grilled over charcoal fires. Like pilau, there are so many different kabob recipes. Lamb kabobs however, are an Afghan favorite.
The people of Afghanistan enjoy a wide variety food, but when it comes to drinks, they have one staple. The primary drink in Afghanistan is tea. It is the national drink of Afghanistan. Black & green tea are the most common types of tea available in Afghanistan. Alcohol is prohibited by Islam so tea is often the drink of choice. Sugar is considered a luxury in Afghanistan, so people have to pay extra to sweeten their tea. Most Afghans prefer to drink their tea without milk. People socialize over a cup of tea and most meals are accompanied by a nice hot cup of tea!
Food is an important part of the Afghan culture. The Afghan people take great pride in preparing meals & unexpected guests are always welcome. Afghan cuisine has become popular in the United States as well. With the varied recipes & flavorful spices, there's something delicious for everyone to try!
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |