A new cuisine to try in Canberra
A few months ago my friend Jane invited me out to dinner and said she wanted to try an Afghani restaurant near the city. I had no idea what Afghani food tasted like so took a look at the menu on-line and it looked great with lots of vegetarian dishes so off we went.We decided on a banquet as both of us were relatively hungry and Jane suggested all vegetarian was great for me, but we really could not eat all dishes as there were so many!
We started off with a plate of samosa and Afghan pan fried flat bread stuffed with pumpkin, chopped onion shallots, coriander and spices. Both were accompanied by a raita yoghurt dip and an Afghan chutney…Jane was being very good and did not eat the heavy samosa [I did]…that and the bread was really good.
We were then served a traditional Afghan dumpling which is steamed and topped with yogurt, chickpea tomato sauce and garnished with a little bit of mint. Again very good and so tasty…feeling a touch full at this stage!Our next dish was called Kachaloo Loobia Korma; a chef’s special comprising a korma sauce with red kidney beans, mild spices and herbs accompanied by a really good naan bread. As you can imagine very full by now but had to taste this delicious dish and eat the naan bread.At this stage I took a little break from eating and took some photos. It really is a lovely restaurant with great traditional ornaments, pictures and wall carpets. And the iconic photograph of the young beautiful green-eyed Afghani girl who appeared on the front of National Geographic in 1985.I did find a photograph of her now on the internet [courtesy NY Times)…still with same amazing eyes just probably not staring as intently at the camera.But back to our restaurant…still more food to come…the Banjan Boranee arrived which is another traditional Afghani dish of fried eggplant covered with cooked tomato and yogurt sauce and it was supposed to be garnished with dry mint but I couldn’t see any. Loving this dish so much along with a separate [large] dish of rice topped with a layer of julienne caramelised carrots, sultana and almond nuts [had to pick out the sultanas but apart from that a delicious aromatic rice].A really good restaurant that I must take my friend Naomi to as she lived in Islamabad for over four years and I think she would love the food and ambience which I know is similar to that of Pakistan.
Gary said:
Great review Sue
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hey thanks Gary.
LikeLiked by 2 people
steveo said:
Thanks for the review. I checked locally and to my surprise there’s an Afgan restaurant near me! The only one within 250 miles. I’ll have to drag myself down there and give it a try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Little Miss Traveller said:
Looks delicious, I don’t believe I have ever tasted Afghan food Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marta said:
I’ve never tried Afghan food but seeing the pictures and descriptions I would be a big fan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
sileas said:
Mmmm what a feast! Never had Afghan food either but it looks delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amy said:
A delicious post, Sue. I also like the interior decorations of the restaurant.
Thank you for sharing the photo you found on the Internet, the same amazing eyes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sophie said:
Afghani?! Wow, that is uncommon! I must say the dishes look delicious, and even though you know how big a meat eater I am, I could have gone along with you for the vegetarian banquet. Some friends of mine have lived in Kaboul for over 3 years and never complained about the food. Now I can see why. Thank you for sharing this delicious moment, Sue, this is definitely one of your fabulous travels, culinary this time! Loved it! xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hope you do. Please do a post if you like it as I would love to hear your views.
LikeLike
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Marion. Little bit like Indian I must say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes I think it’s good Marta. Never heard of one in China though. Although over in Xinjiang there probably is.
LikeLike
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It’s pretty good I must say.
LikeLike
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks as always Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
steveo said:
Will try and review if I get there. I’ve had Pakistani food before and like that. Now, I’ve gotten myself hungry writing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Lovely Sophie. Xx
LikeLike
reocochran said:
I enjoyed all the dishes you described. I particularly like eggplant and the Afghan dumpling with garnishing yogurt and sauces looks delicious.
I was somewhat “sad” to see the 1985 National Geographic cover current status of this woman. She looks haunted and this troubled me. Maybe the women don’t smile for a reason, Sue. This may remove my misgivings. . .
I have had one Afghan coworker and she brought in a layered dish which had beans in it. I liked the spices she added. I prefer no mint unless in jelly on lamb, though. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I agree Robin. The lady still looks haunted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinneve said:
As I see based on your photos… the foods are similar to Indian and Arabic foods. Good for you not to be shy trying other type of foods!
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Vinneve. I like to try different foods.
LikeLiked by 1 person
reocochran said:
I’m so glad you didn’t mind my expressing this opinion on the beautiful woman. . . Thank you, Sue. 🌸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lignum Draco said:
They deserve to do well. That’s a feast and that food looks good and sounds great by your description.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you!!!!
LikeLike
frejatravels said:
The food looks interesting. I never try Afganistan food, but it seems like and Indian food. Nice photos btw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
You are right it’s definitely similar to Indian food. Thanks for compliment about my photos. Very kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
frejatravels said:
You welcome, have a great weekend:)
LikeLiked by 1 person