Afghani Torshi Recipes

ARMENIAN PICKLES (TOURSHI)

Steps:

• Sterilize 8 large mouth quart jars and lids.
• Prepare vegetables and divide among eight quart jars .I use raw vegetables because I like the crunch. Stuff jars tightly with vegetables, adding carrots and green beans into the corners, pushing down with a wooden spoon. Put two sprigs of dill and two cloves of garlic in each jar with one or more teaspoons of pickling spice, to taste.( I use about 1-1/2 tsps.) Add one or more hot peppers to each jar if you like spicy pickles.
• Boil water, vinegar, salt and turmeric.
• Pour into each jar to fill and seal.
• Store in a cool dry place for four to six weeks.

AFGHANI TORSHI

Steps:

• 1. Combine the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, black onion seeds (if using), oregano, peppercorns, and turmeric in a large jar. Cover the jar tightly and shake until the sugar is dissolved. 2. Add the cauliflower, carrots, celery, turnip, onion, and garlic to the jar and stir. Correct the seasoning, adding sugar to taste. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the mixture to keep the vegetables submerged. Cover the jar, placing another piece of plastic wrap between the mouth of the jar and the lid (to prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal lid). Let cure, at room temperature or in the refrigerator, for at least 3 days; the torshi will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for several weeks.

GHORMEH SABZI (PERSIAN HERB STEW)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in turmeric for 1 to 2 minutes. Add chuck cubes; cook until coated in turmeric and browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a separate pot over medium heat. Add spinach, green onions, parsley, cilantro, chives, and fenugreek leaves; cook and stir until deep dark green in color, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir spinach mixture into the onion and chuck mixture. Pour in enough water to create a slurry consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in lemon juice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer stew until greens soften, about 1 hour.
• Pierce dried limes with a fork and add to the stew. Continue simmering until chuck is tender, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Stir in red kidney beans. Cook until flavors combine, about 30 minutes. Discard dried limes before serving.

AFGHANI KABLI PULAO

Steps:

• Soak the rice in cool water for 5 minutes. Rinse until water runs clear.
• Place 4 cardamom pods on a cutting board and lightly crush using the flat side of a knife; transfer to a pressure cooker. Add halved onion, garlic head, 4 cloves, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin seed, salt, sugar, cinnamon stick, paprika, and coriander seeds. Pour in water to cover.
• Seal pressure cooker lid and turn heat to high. Cook until pressure cooker whistles once, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Wait for 2 more whistles, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pressure to release naturally, about 10 minutes.
• Strain broth into a bowl. Clean out the pressure cooker and heat it over medium heat. Add oil and chopped onion; cook and stir until softened and browned, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add carrots; cook until soft, about 3 minutes more. Add raisins, almonds, and strained rice. Add remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon cumin seed, and remaining clove.
• Crush remaining cardamom seed to a powder and add to the pressure cooker. Mix to combine; pour in enough broth to cover the rice.
• Increase heat to high and seal the pressure cooker. Cook until the first whistle, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Let rest for 7 minutes; release the pressure naturally, about 10 minutes. Transfer cooked rice to a serving dish immediately to prevent overcooking.