Mogul Lamb

Mogul Lamb

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

Lamb is by far the most popular meat in the country and it is prepared in several ways. Folktales say this is how Genghis Khan liked his lamb prepared while on his way through the country. If you prefer beef, it can be substituted, using a cut suitable for roasting.

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon ground or powdered red chile
1 5-pound leg of lamb, trimmed of fat
8 ounces plain yogurt
1/2 level teaspoon powdered ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 ounces ground pistachio nuts
1/2 teaspoon saffron, or substitute annatto (available in Latin markets)
1/4 pound butter or shortening

Instructions

Pierce the surface of the meat with a fork. Mix all of the ingredients together, except the butter, and rub into the meat thoroughly. The Afghans keep the meat at room temperature for about 12 hours, but I prefer to cover it and keep it in the refrigerator overnight.

Place the lamb in a shallow roasting pan, dot the surface with the butter, then place it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Reduce the oven heat to 300 degrees F. and cook for three hours, or longer if needed. Baste with the juices in the pan and serve hot with a rice side dish.

Heat scale: mild

Grilled Kabob

Grilled Kabob

Dave DeWitt Lamb, Rapid-Fire: Quick & Easy Grilling Leave a Comment

This is the almost universal way meat is cooked every day, as well as for festive get-togethers. It is about as close to the national meat dish of Afghanistan as one can get.  Lamb is commonly used, but beef can be substituted.

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh or dried red chile
1 pound boneless lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup of plain yogurt
2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine

grilled kabobs

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and allow the meat to marinate for 4 to 5 hours. Place the meat on barbecue skewers and grill over wood or charcoal. When done, the kabobs can be eaten as is or placed inside non or pita bread.

Heat scale: mild

Non (Village Whole Wheat Bread)

Non (Village Whole Wheat Bread)

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This is the staff of life for all classes of Afghans, whether city dwellers or nomads. The basic ingredient is wheat—red hard winter wheat is preferred, but any local wheat will do.

Ingredients

7 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon salt
water as needed to make the dough kneadable, about 3 and 1/2 cups

Instructions

Mix the flour and salt together and add the water to make dough. Knead the dough 300 times, cover it with a wet towel, and let sit in a warm place for 12 to 24 hours. Knead 100 more times, and place it in an oiled baking pan. Cut the top lengthwise and let sit in a warm place for 4 hours.

Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 30 minutes, then in a 400 degree F. oven for 45 minutes. The crust should be dark brown.

Shir Birinj (Rice Pudding)

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This is a favorite desert, using the ever-present rice. The vanilla essence is sometimes omitted in villages where it may not be available.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice
1 1/4 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup raisins
chopped pistachios for garnish

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except the pistachios and place in a greased baking dish.

Bake in a 300 degree F. oven for about 45 minutes until done. Garnish with pistachios and serve.

Grilled Fish Brochettes Middle Eastern Style

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This recipe is a variation of one that appears in Dave DeWitt’s and my new book The Barbecue Inferno published by Ten Speed Press. Since technically there are fourteen or more countries that can be classified as Middle Eastern, this recipe reflects a style rather that a single country. It is designed so that the spice flavors don’t overwhelm the fish but compliment it. Serve with a tablouleh salad, orzo or rice, and sauteed zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds firm white fish, such as mahimahi, halibut, or swordfish, about 1-inch thick

Marinade:

  • ½ cup chopped onion

  • 2 jalapeno chiles, stems and seeds removed, chopped

  • 1 large clove garlic, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh preferred

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Cut the fish into cubes 1-inch thick.

Place all the ingredients for the marinade in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Place the fish in a glass dish and pour the marinade over them. Marinate the fish for an hour at room temperature, covered.

Remove the fish from the marinade and thread on skewers. Liberally oil the barbecue grill so the fish will not stick. Grill over a medium heat until lightly browned and done, about 2 minutes per side.