Recipes: A Taste of Afghanistan

Ab Kishmish, Raisin Drink

Ingredients

8 oz golden or dark raisins (almonds optional)

Honey to taste

Rose water to taste

water

Instructions

Wash the raisins well, then boil water and add raisins. Rinse raisins again. Add two cups of hot water, add honey and rosewater to taste. Leave in a cool place or in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. If making with almonds, boil the almonds separately and peel away the skins before adding to the raisins and hot water.

Recipe from Bamiyan Afghani Restaurant (http://www.bamiyan.com/)

Haf-miwah, Seven-Flavors Drink

Mentioning apricots will bring tears to an Afghan's eyes. There are at least 40 types of apricots perfuming the air in Afghanistan.

Ingredients

½ cup pistachios

½ cup peeled almonds

½ cup peeled walnuts

½ cup black raisins

½ cup golden raisins

½ cup apricots

½ cup sweet red cherries, pitted and chopped

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon rose water

Instructions

Pour boiling water over pistachios, almonds and walnuts. Let sit for five minutes to loosen their skins. Drain and set aside to cool. When cool, rub off skins in a tea towel. Rinse raisins and apricots.

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, stirring. Take off heat and let cool . Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat.

Serves: 4 - 6

This recipe contributed by Sayed Ahmad Shah of Bamiyan Afghani Restaurant on www.inmamaskitchen.com.