Noshtopia

Part 2: Healthy Indian Afghan Fusion Dishes: Turkey Kababs, Potato Stuffed Flatbread, and Afghan Rice

My plate before and after the feast. Gastric joy! If I was at my house, I would have licked the plate clean, but in other people's homes, manners. Continuing on from our healthy Indian Afghan feast from yesterday, here are the remaining three dishes going clockwise starting from the 30 minute position.

 

If I had to pick a favorite of the six dishes it would be this one, grilled Turkey Kababs made with organic Turkey and spices, and is gluten-free. Turkey is a leaner meat compared to beef or lamb, and I dig the idea of blending a popular American meat with Indian spices.

 

Next up is Indian Aloo Paratha which is potato stuffed dough filled with spices accompanied with organic yogurt dip with more spices.

 

And to finish up, we have Afghani Pulao, a rice dish called Golden Sela cooked Afghan style with spices. This dish is what mom is most famous for because she has cut much of the fat out from the traditional version yet retains the flavor experience. This rice dish is also gluten-free. This was my first time to try Pulao, so I can't compare. All I can say is that for a first time experience I had three helpings.

 

Demand for mom's cooking from family and friends has become so popular she started a catering business in the Bay Area. She has even served some of her incredible food at local schools which I think is awesome because it is introducing children to different global cuisine and a blending of cultures. I have no doubt the turkey kababs are a hit with the kids. I could eat a whole plate of those kababs.

Next time mom and Amrita are cooking, I'm coming over. Good times!

 

Part I: Healthy Indian Afghan Fusion Dishes: Daal, Eggplant and Turkey Potstickers

To make healthy eating more fun and interesting, I love to share global cuisine that is Noshtopia-friendly.

My friend Amrita @Jawaani on Twitter has an Indian mother and an Afghan father. They have a beautiful story. Like many, mom had to change her diet becaue of some health issues but she didn't want to sacrifice eating the foods she's used to eating. I totally get that! I'm still fguring out how to make vegan adobo.

 

So, mom came up with some of the most amazing Indian and Afghan dishes that significantly cut down fat and calories from the traditional versions. She uses very little oil and uses spices as a way to really bring in the flavor. What impressed me the most was her use of turkey. What a great way to fuse in a food that is not only low in fat and cholesterol but that Americans love. And lucky me, mom and dad invited me over to eat with them and Amrita and I got to feast. So let me share what we ate.

We'll use the overview picture at the top, and in Part I, I'll tell you about the first three dishes, and then tomorrow in Part II, we'll go over the last three dishes. It's so good!

At the top in the small dish going clockwise is Daal an Indian dish made with split pea lentils. It's vegan and gluten-free. A better close up view of the Daal is coming up in the potsticker dish.

Next is Banjan Borani an Afghan dish which is sauteed Eggplant with tomato and onion topped with an organic homemade natural yogurt, garlic paste and dried mint leaves. Mom makes her own yogurt at home. How cool is that.

 

 

Mom made a plate for me without the yogurt because of my dairy allergy. So nice! Without the yogurt, this eggplant dish is vegan and gluten-free. 

 

This is Mantoo another Afghan dish which is stuffed steamed pot stickers filled with ground turkey and onions, topped with the Indian Daal of split plea lentils and organic cilantro. I've never had turkey potstickers before and the use of turkey is truly awesome.

 

Tomorrow in Part II, we have stuffed flatbread, Afghan rice, and turkey kabab!

Cooking An Allergy-friendly Fish Chowder Sandwich At Home With Julia & Jacques

Deciding to cook at home instead of going out for dinner one night, my friend Nima had the most brilliant idea of cooking a Fish Chowder Sandwich he saw on Hulu.com on an episode of Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home starring Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. For those with good memories, Julia and Jacques did this public television cooking show back in 1999 for one 22-episode season. Fortunately, you can watch all the episodes for free on Hulu.