Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Afghanistan with our delectable Afghani Chicken with Spinach recipe. This dish is a harmonious blend of succulent chicken, vibrant spinach, and a symphony of aromatic spices that will tantalize your taste buds. The chicken, marinated in a flavorful blend of yogurt, garlic, ginger, and an array of spices, is roasted to tender perfection, while the spinach is cooked to a vibrant green, retaining its nutritional value. Served atop a bed of fluffy rice, this dish is a delightful symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving for more.
In addition to the main recipe, we also offer variations to suit your preferences. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, the Afghani Spinach recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic dish. This meatless version features tender spinach cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, complemented by aromatic spices and herbs.
If you're seeking a hearty and comforting meal, the Afghani Chicken Stew recipe is an excellent choice. This slow-cooked stew combines tender chicken, succulent vegetables, and a rich, flavorful gravy that's perfect for a chilly evening. The depth of flavors in this stew is sure to warm your soul and leave you feeling satisfied.
And for those who enjoy the convenience of a one-pot meal, the Afghani Chicken and Spinach Pilaf is a perfect solution. This dish combines marinated chicken, spinach, rice, and an array of spices in a single pot, resulting in a flavorful and hassle-free meal. Enjoy the convenience of cooking everything together while savoring the delicious and aromatic flavors of Afghanistan.
AFGHANI CHICKEN
Steps:
- Wash chicken quarters and dry using a clean cloth or paper towel. Prick chicken all over with a sharp kitchen knife and place in a bowl. Mix lime juice, ginger, garlic, cream, cardamom, cashew nut paste, salt, pepper, and oil together in a medium bowl. Rub chicken all over with lime mixture. Transfer to a baking dish or large shallow bowl and marinate for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a grill to medium. Grill chicken quarters for about 25 minutes or until fully cooked, turning pieces over halfway through cooking.
AFGHAN SPINACH
I have always loved to eat spinach at Afghanistan restaurants. After several tries at making it, here are my results, which are easy and quite good served with fresh basmati rice.
Provided by Andtototoo
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Wash the green onions and cut off the very ends (both ends). roughly chop and put into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Put the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the heat is hot, add the green onion and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, roughly chop 1/2 bunch cilantro (fresh green coriander) and pulse it in the food processor until finely chopped.
- Add the cilantro and spinach to the frying pan and stir for a minute until everything is well mixed.
- Add all the spices and stir again.
- Add the water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Check to see if the spinach is very tender, if not, recover and cook 5 more minutes.
- Remove cover and continue to cook over medium heat until all of the liquid has evaporated.
- Good seved with fresh basmati rice. I also like to eat this with lamb.
BRAISED CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ORANGE, SAFFRON, ALMOND, AND PISTACHIO SYRUP
Here is a jewel of an Afghani dish. It is one I cook regularly, sometimes with shoulder of lamb instead of chicken thighs. I serve it with slow-cooked spinach, finished with leeks and a minuscule amount of rhubarb. This may sound strange, but the rhubarb is sweetened by the leeks and it really does work.
Provided by Tamasin Day-Lewis
Categories Chicken Citrus Fruit Nut Poultry Dinner Casserole/Gratin Orange Tree Nut Almond Pistachio Spice Saffron Potluck Advance Prep Required Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear; put to one side.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and throw in the onions. Cook over medium heat until they soften and turn golden. Season the chicken thighs and add them to the pan. Brown on all sides, then pour in 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel the zest from the orange with a potato peeler, then cut it into matchstick strips. Blanch in a small pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain.
- Dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup (scant) water in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then bring to a boil and let bubble to reduce and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes until syrupy. Add the orange zest, slivered almonds, and pistachios and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off any froth. Strain the syrup and return to the pan; set aside the orange zest and nuts. Add the saffron and rose water to the syrup and boil again for 3 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Strain the stock from the chicken thighs and add the syrup to it. Make this up to 3 cups with more water. Bring it to a boil in an ovenproof casserole and add the rice. Season and add two-thirds of the orange zest and nuts, keeping the rest to one side. Bring back to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is cooked. The liquid should have all been absorbed by now.
- Bury the chicken and onions in the rice and add the fava beans and peas, if you are including them. Put the lid on and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Serve straight from the pan or, if you prefer, in a large, warmed serving dish. Sprinkle the last third of the orange zest and nuts over the top before bringing it to the table.
SABZI (SPINACH AND LAMB STEW)
Sabzi is one of the traditional dishes served during Afghan Nowruz, the celebration of the new year and vernal equinox, and Durkhanai Ayubi included this recipe from her mother, Farida Ayubi, in their cookbook "Parwana: Recipes and Stories From an Afghan Kitchen." The rich green hue of this dish symbolizes the arrival of spring and new life. In the book, Ms. Ayubi uses a pressure cooker for the lamb - you can as well - but the stovetop version below doesn't take very long. Either way, the lamb becomes tender in an intensely flavorful broth of onion, garlic and chile. It then simmers in cooked spinach, fragrant with fried cilantro and garlic chives. This soul-affirming sabzi, along with its traditional accompaniment of challaw, a spiced Afghan rice dish, is a welcome way to celebrate the reawakening of nature.
Provided by Naz Deravian
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 2h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or similar pot, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and chile, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side and add the lamb to the other. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, 3 to 8 minutes total. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (or 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or fine salt) and 4 cups water, then stir and bring to a gentle boil, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until the lamb is tender, 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a kettle or a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, and keep at a simmer.
- In a very large skillet with a lid, heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium. Add the cilantro and garlic chives, and fry, stirring occasionally, to bring out all the flavors, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl.
- Place the same skillet over medium-high heat (no need to wash), add the chopped spinach and the just-boiled water, and cover partially. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid is gone, about 20 minutes.
- Add the lamb, 1 cup of its cooking liquid (any remaining broth can be refrigerated or frozen for another use) and the cilantro mixture to the spinach. Stir to combine well, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all the flavors mingle, about 15 minutes. Taste, season with salt if desired and serve with challaw.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The fresher and better the quality of your ingredients, the better your dish will taste. Look for organic, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.
- Don't Crowd the Pan: When cooking the chicken, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and will make it more likely to steam rather than brown.
- Cook the Chicken Over Medium Heat: Medium heat is ideal for cooking the chicken. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning or drying out.
- Don't Overcook the Spinach: Spinach cooks very quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked spinach will become wilted and slimy.
- Add the Lemon Juice at the End: Adding lemon juice at the end of the cooking process will help to brighten the flavors of the dish and prevent the spinach from becoming discolored.
Conclusion:
This Afghani Chicken with Spinach is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the spinach is a healthy and delicious addition. This dish is also very versatile and can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
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