Parwana: Recipes and Stories from an Afghan Kitchen

More than just recipes

FAMILY FIRST

A beautiful full-color cookbook, Parwana will transport you to Afghanistan, where you will be able to explore a rich and wonderful culture through the art of cooking. With these recipes, you'll be able to meet and understand a new family, and feel welcomed into their home, and into their traditions.

Parwana is about more than just food, it's about family. Author Durkhanai Ayubi beautifully tells his family’s story, about their flight from Afghanistan to Australia, where they opened up their restaurant, Parwana. This raw and real tale invites the reader into Ayubi’s family life, making each recipe incredibly personal, proving how cooking is a form of communion, and can connect us all, even across cultures. With this book, you will be immersed in Afghan culture and Afghan history, while also learning and embracing the traditions of a family.

MAIN COURSES

In Parwana, you’ll find plenty of recipes to make for dinner. Sabzi, which is a spinach and lamb curry, is just one of the many recipes you can find. In the mood for seafood? Try Mahee, a tasty fried fish! Having a cookout? Make Kebabeh Sikhi, which are delicious lamb skewers! You’ll even be able to learn how to make your own rice, like Challaw or Reshtah Palaw. You can also find great recipes for breakfast, like Tokhme Banjanromi, Afghan breakfast eggs, or Maasteh Khanagi, which is homemade yogurt!

SAUCES, SOUPS, AND SIDES

Parwana has plenty of sauces, soups, and sides for you to try. Want a good appetizer? Make Aush, a thick soup with noodles. Need something for the side? Try making Salaateh Afghani, a Afghan-style salad. Need something else to bring all your flavors together? Try the Chutney Sabz! From Mantu to Ashak, which are types of dumplings, to Lamb Kofta Sauce, the recipes you’ll find in this book will help make every meal memorable.

FANTASTIC FLATBREADS

Bolani is a Afghan stuffed flatbread, and Parwana will teach you exactly how to make it! This crispy snack can be stuffed with many different fillings, from Gandana (chives) to Kadoo(pumpkin). Since this recipe is so versatile, you can easily make your own tradition out of making this fantastic food. You’ll also find a recipe for Naan, and even a recipe for a dessert bread, called Roht.

TIME FOR TEA & SWEET TREATS

Thirsty?

Parwanahas a lot of recipes for milk tea, such as Qaymaq Chai, a clotted cream chai, or Shir Chai, another type of sweet milk tea. You’ll also find a recipe for Dogh, a delicious yogurt drink. These drinks will help bring your meals together, while also just being really fun to make, and delicious to drink!

Looking for dessert?

Try Maghoot, an Afghan jello! You can also make Firni, a delicious milk custard. If you’re in the mood for a pastry, try Gosheh Fil, also known as elephant ears! You’ll also find plenty of cookies, like Khajoor and Kulcheh Shor. There’s also recipes for ice cream, such as Shir Yakeh Gulab, which is a rose and pistachio ice cream.Whatever sweet treat you’re craving, Parwana will help you make it.