Bamian Restaurant Good Experience...

In a recent food outing with dear friends whom very graciously accepted me in their food outing adventures was decided to visit an Afghanistan Restaurant located in Arlington Va.

I am a believer that we have to experience all kind of ethnic food. Name another fun way to learn about other cultures? I would give anything to travel around the world and taste the magnificent cuisine other countries have to offer.

Afghanistani cuisine is mainly influenced by Persia, India, and Mongolia. Spices from India, mint, meat cookery, subzi from Persia and the noodles/ pasta from Mongolia. The flavors of Afghanistan include garam masala, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, chilis, leeks, coriander, parsley, mint and black pepper. Onion and tomato are also important in Afghani cooking. Traditional Afghani cooking is high in fat due to the country?s mountain terrain and the fact that the lifestyle involves a lot of walking and it gets cold in winter. Yogurt (maust) forms an integral part of Afghani cuisine and is called Chakah after it is drained.. (Information obtained from Ethnic Food Company on line).

According to other source of information I have also learned that the Afghan Cuisine is one of the oldest in the world and the most homogeneous and a little different than other countries in Central Asia.

Our choices from the menu!

Appetizer:
Sambosa: A fried pastry stuffed with chick peas and herbs
Mantu: A ground beef and scallion filled dumpling topped with yogurt, meat sauce and. Both appetizers had a distinct and very harmonious flavor.
Main Entrée:
Palau: This delicate seasoned pieces of lamb kabob over saffron rice; this was mostly almost brownish and very aromatic basmati rice. Both combination of flavors and the texture of the lamb and rice were absolutely delicious. My friend Re had combination of chicken and lamb with meat sauce and his wife had a vegetarian dish, while Pat had stewed lamb which was also very exquisite. All these dishes were accompanied by a basket of Naan bread.

I also had a refreshing drink called ?Dough? is like eating yogurt with spices.. I loved it!

If you are in the area.. make sure to visit Bamian restaurant in Virginia. See website for more information please visit www.bamianrestaurant.com