Tomorrow marks the beginning of Ramadan, the lunar month in the Islamic calendar where Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This month is a very festive and spiritually reflective occasion, with families typically gathering together to join in indulgent dishes prepared in the evenings. However, due to Covid-19, this will be a unique time wherein families will stay at home and not partake in the traditions of visiting each other's homes or gathering together in prayers.
It is more important than ever to be able to recreate that feeling of festivity in our homes as we all safely practice social distancing. In an effort to assist you to do so, I have prepared some exciting recipes and step by step tutorial dishes of some of my favorite traditional Afghan recipes, as well as a few Afghan American fusion dishes I created.
Here's a sneak peek of what's to come this month:
Ramadan prep: how I simplify cooking in Ramadan to still be able to create elaborate dishes in half the time
Sambosa: a classic Afghan dish, a stuffed sweet and savory appetizer & brunch staple
Date truffles: pistachio and coconut cream cheese date balls
Vegetarian Qabuli Palau: it can exist! and it tastes just as great as the original recipe
Afghan iteration of the famous DoubleTree cookies: a cardamom raisin walnut rolled oat cookie
Afghan grilled cheese: a twist on the classic American grilled cheese, but with an immersion of flavors and a few additional ingredients to completely change how you've experienced grilled cheese before
Afghan Lasagna: utilizing core concepts from traditional Afghan dumplings (aushak and mantu) transformed into a fusion lasagna dinner
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Let me know what you'd like to learn how to make next!