In this post, I'll teach you to create your own Afghan style Kofta (meatballs), Challow (rice) and Naan bread. I hope you like getting your hands dirty, because you certainly will throughout the course of these dishes!

AFGHAN KOFTA

- 1 pound of ground beef

- 1 medium onion, grated

- 4 cloves of garlic, minced

- 1 egg, beaten

- 1 tablespoon ground coriander

- 1 teaspoon ground cumin

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup chopped coriander leaves

KOFTA SAUCE

- Oil, 3/4 tablespoons

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 1 bell pepper, chopped

- 1 red chilli, minced 

- 1 clove of garlic, minced

- 800g tinned tomatoes

- 1 tablespoon ground cumin

- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

- 2 teaspoons paprika

- 1 tablespoon ground coriander

- 1/2 cup chopped coriander



Mix together all of the Kofta ingredients until well combined. Use the mixture to make large balls, and place on a plate.  Leave them to rest in the fridge for around 10 minutes before frying them.



1.) In a large pan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the onions and leave them to sweat.

2.) When the onions start to become translucent add the peppers, garlic and koftas.

3.) Move the koftas gently around the pan with the vegetables, until they are golden brown on the outside.

4.) Add all sauce ingredients to the pan. If you need to, add additional water to assure the koftas are at least half covered. Turn the heat down to simmer, and cover. Cook for 15/20 minutes, then gently stir. Recover and cook for another 15 minutes or until the kofta are cooked through. Sprinkle with Coriander before serving.

CHALLOW


- 1 cup of brown basmati rice

- 1/4 teaspoon of salt

- 1 tablespoon of olive oil

- 2 whole cloves

- 1 whole cardamom pod 

- 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds



1.) While the kofta are cooking, prepare the rice. 

2.) Add all the ingredients to a pan and cook over high heat. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium, and cover for about 30/35 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Before serving, remove the cardamom pod and whole cloves if desired.

NAAN BREAD

- 3 cups of flour (all purpose or baking)

- 1 teaspoon of salt

- Dissolve 1/2 a teaspoon of yeast on 4 tablespoons of water

- 1 teaspoon of sugar

- 1 tablespoon of oil 

- 1/2 a jug of water


1.) Mix all ingredients into a bowl using your hands. To soften your mixture, gradually add small amount of water until the mixture begins to soften. Knead your mixture for about 15 minutes.

2.) Once kneaded, cover with a damp towel and leave in a warm place until your mixture doubles in size. This should take between 1-2 hours.

3.) Lightly oil a baking tray to stop your bread from sticking. Take half of your dough and spread it out across the tray, then start to massage the mixture into a bumpy shape.

4.) Sprinkle a small amount of Flour, Water and Red Onion Seeds over your bread mix before placing in the oven for 30 minutes. Temperature should be 350 degrees/Gas Mark 4.