Customer Reviews

Afghan Cuisine: Cooking for Life : A Collection of Afghan Recipes (And Other Favorites) for the Novice Afghan and Non-Afghan Cook

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A real find for anyone who's wanted to duplicate distinctive Afghan dishes! Contains traditional food I've only eaten in restaurants--such as nan (Afghan bread), aushuk (like raviolis), and kudu bourani (pumpkin with yogurt). Also includes familiar non-Afghan selections--like hummus, chocolate baklava, and almond cake. Steps are easy to follow, even for novice cooks like me. And it's gratifying that the author plans to send a portion of the proceeds to help Afghani women and children.

I am married to an Afghan man and have had no prior experience to Afghan food before I had met him. Since then, he's tried to get me to learn to cook like his mother, however it's hard because I grew up on mac'n'cheese. But after a recent trip to Afghanistan, I felt that I should learn to cook because a) the food was delicious b) I respect his heritage and c) I don't want my kids to grow up on mac'n'cheese. This book made it really easy to follow and it included some non-afghan recipes which were a plus (I'm particularly fond of the macaroon squares!). Also, knowing that the proceeds give back to Afghanistan is important because having gone there, I know they need a lot of support to pick themselves up. It's great that this book helps to give back!

If you have ever had afghan food, it doesnt seem very easy to make. This book makes it so simple and it will be the tastiest food you have ever had! I have only tried a few of the dishes and each one has come out tasting so authentic and delicious. My favorite so far is the potato borani and the khorshaid's chicken. I definitely reccommed this book to anyone from the most experienced to the most inexperienced (like me) cooks out there!

When I started reading through the recipes in this book, I thought: "These are too simple! Not enough spices, not enough ingredients. This will probably come out bland!" How wrong I was! A potato dish (last night's dinner) called for only 6 ingredients (including spices!), was incredibly simple to make, and came out wonderfully fragrant and flavorful. The quarmas (meat dishes) I've made have likewise been easy to shop for and cook, but have been incredibly satisfying. For the bold cook, there ARE some more challenging recipes, such as complex chalau (pilaf/biriyani) dishes. But for those seeking a simple, tasty introduction to a new style of cuisine, I highly recommend this book!

I had one Afghan friend in highschool whose mom makes the best traditional Afghan food and bread I've ever tasted! At first I thought it would taste like Indian food. Although they are similar type dishes, the flavor of the food comes through so much more. Now that I'm in New Jersey, I don't see her but I can make the same homestyle type dishes every now and then. My favorite are the boulani's with potatoes!

I ordered this book about a month ago, and both my mother and I have throughly enjoyed this book. The second day after receiving the book from Amazon, I cooked the Kabuli Rice and it was DELICIOUS!! My uncle LOVED the rice when he tasted it!
This cookbook has many wonderful recipes and the author of the book is also just as wonderful. From reading this book, I feel like I have gotten to know her and taste Afghan food through her senses. I recommend this book to everyone.

There were a few mistakes in the book, that I wish some editors were able to find. In the Afghan Bread recipe, the book calls for 5 lbs of white flour (or was it Wheat flour? I forgot but it was for one of those two). In fact, she meant 5 cups. We made it yesterday and it was sooo good! But I do recommend that this book be completely edited so that a person who has never cooked before, does not get confused. 5lbs of flour is way too much!

All in all though, this is a wonderful book and I love it! It's great to eat something other than Indian food day and night! :)