"Many
men, women and children in Afghanistan are without food, medicines or
shelter. An Afghan cookery book is perhaps especially poignant at the
present time because there is a real threat of famine inside Afghanistan."
Helen Saberi
Ms. Saberi
has not mentioned that she donated royalties from the first printing
of this book to charitable organisations working inside Afghanistan
to provide the food and medicines which are still so desperately needed.
- The Editors
There is no greater challenge to a cookbook
writer than to introduce readers to an unfamiliar cuisine. In Afghan
Food and Cookery, Helen Saberi not only rises to the challenge,
but soars above it, making the reader feel comfortable and eager to
experiment. The result of experimentation is the discovery of a surprisingly
subtle cuisine.
The fragrance of Indian spices infuses
this cuisine, but are added to the dishes with a deft and light touch,
resulting in a delicate, nuanced cuisine. The use of yogurt, both on
its own and as an integral part of a dish (it acts as a meat tenderizer)
is consistent in Afghan cooking, and Saberi gives us many recipes. There
are pilaf recipes of every variety, and, of course, recipes for kebabs
which are popular everywhere when warm days mean firing up the grill.
There are recipes for vegetables and fruits, for desserts (even a sweetmeat
made from chickpeas!) and beverages. The latter is a fascinating assortment
of teas or drinks made with fruits. Honoring the intelligence of the
reader, Saberi offers authentic recipes, though she has written with
western kitchens in mind. Each recipe has a brief, clearly-written introduction
to guide and illuminate.Saberi easily brings us into the
Afghan kitchen. She explains the ingredients and spices, most of which
are familiar to adventurous cooks. With the assist of drawings by Abdullah
Breshna, she explains the equipment that stocks the average Afghan kitchen
and finds counterparts in our kitchens that are convenient substitutes.
Ms. Saberi has kindly allowed us
the use of her introduction - click
here to read about afghan food and cookery - as well as her
personal history of Afghanistan. If that were not generous enough,
She has also contributed the following recipes:
©
