Afghan Spinach Recipes

AFGHAN SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash the green onions and cut off the very ends (both ends). roughly chop and put into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
• Put the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the heat is hot, add the green onion and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop 1/2 bunch cilantro (fresh green coriander) and pulse it in the food processor until finely chopped.
• Add the cilantro and spinach to the frying pan and stir for a minute until everything is well mixed.
• Add all the spices and stir again.
• Add the water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Check to see if the spinach is very tender, if not, recover and cook 5 more minutes.
• Remove cover and continue to cook over medium heat until all of the liquid has evaporated.
• Good seved with fresh basmati rice. I also like to eat this with lamb.

AFGHAN SPINACH APPETIZER DIP

Steps:

• Wash the spinach several times to remove any sand, and finely chop.
• Put water into a medium-size saucepan until it comes up about 1" from the bottom of the pan.
• Add the spinach and boil over high heat for five minutes.
• Drain.
• In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, put the oil and onion.
• Stir-fry until the onion is tender, adding the garlic the last couple of minutes.
• Add the cooked spinach and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Turn off heat and let cool.
• In a serving bowl mix together the yogurt, spinach mixture, cayenne, salt, pepper and ground coriander.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• The mixture needs to sit for a while in the fridge so that the flavors can marry.
• Serve with pita bread or naan.

SABZI (SPINACH AND LAMB STEW)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or similar pot, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and chile, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side and add the lamb to the other. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, 3 to 8 minutes total. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (or 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or fine salt) and 4 cups water, then stir and bring to a gentle boil, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until the lamb is tender, 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, in a kettle or a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, and keep at a simmer.
• In a very large skillet with a lid, heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium. Add the cilantro and garlic chives, and fry, stirring occasionally, to bring out all the flavors, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl.
• Place the same skillet over medium-high heat (no need to wash), add the chopped spinach and the just-boiled water, and cover partially. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid is gone, about 20 minutes.
• Add the lamb, 1 cup of its cooking liquid (any remaining broth can be refrigerated or frozen for another use) and the cilantro mixture to the spinach. Stir to combine well, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all the flavors mingle, about 15 minutes. Taste, season with salt if desired and serve with challaw.

AUSH (AFGHANI CHILI)

Steps:

• Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; remove with slotted spoon to a large pot; reserving drippings in the skillet. Cook and stir the onion in the reserved drippings until golden brown; remove with slotted spoon and add to beef in the pot. Stir the tomatoes with juice, garlic, red pepper, cumin, chili powder, mint, garam masala, garbanzo beans, and spinach into the beef mixture and place the pot over low heat; simmer 3 to 6 hours.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the fettuccini, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Stir into the chili along with the sour cream and serve hot.