NATIONAL DISH OF AFGHANISTAN - Qabili Pilau
There is an Afghan restaurant on Fitzroy that I always pass everytime I go out down Brunswick St (Afghan Gallery). I always wanted to go but am hardly up in that area. And if I am it's always for a purpose, like a friend's birthday at a hip bar (random free meat platters anyone?) or a laid-back Sunday sesh at the AWES Little Creatures Dining Hall. I've only heard good things about the Afghan Gallery from friends that have eaten there. Of course I wanna go for the good food that I have heard about, but there is something about eating great food in an amazing and authentic atmosphere that amplifies the experience. Plus sitting on cushions on the floor at low lying tables is always a winner.
Qabili Pilau is the Afghan take on a pilaf, a rice dish that has been cooked in a seasoned broth. However, the Afghanis have thrown their own take on things. The use of basmati rice and the process of baking the pilau in an oven is unique. Another idea that I found surprising (but ultimately delicious) was the inclusion of raisins. Good move Afghanistan.
Enjoy, or as they say in Afghanistan, بفرماييد! (befarma'id)
A link for the recipe can be found here: http://www.kosherdelight.com/AfghanistanRecipesAfghanQabiliPilau.shtml
Difficulty: 3
Appearance: 3
Taste: 4
TOTAL: 10
I getting used to the adding of spices, vegetable, meat and rice and allowing them to cook and blend. But then taking that and placing it in the oven to bake was a novelty.
Now to some the end result may have not look like a pretty picture, but not for me. The colours blended together quite well, but the winner was the smell that was coming from the kitchen.
The meat was so tender and the spices compliment the lamb well. And the vegetables added a little crunch. But the tart taste of the raisins certainly added more depth to the dish. I didn't think that I would enjoy their involvement what so ever. Thankfully that was not the case. Now I am thoroughly looking forward to venturing into that Afghan restaurant.
