Show 562, January 27, 2024: Afghan Kitchen, Surrey, BC with General Manager Zabi Sarwari

Zabi Sarwari of Afghan Kitchen

Afghan Kitchen in South Surrey, British Columbia is the manifestation of a young boy’s dream. He roamed the streets of Kabul in his sandals and saw how hard his family worked to sustain themselves. In the times of war, they moved to different neighboring countries until they finally came to Canada.”

“Afghan Kitchen presents the guest with the vision of the young boy’s very own restaurant since he was six years old. Every corner of Afghan Kitchen is thoughtfully curated. Every dish uses mum’s recipe.” “Mum” Sarwari is also the highly qualified Executive Chef.

“This is a proudly family-owned and-run business that reflects the best of Afghan roots, traditions, and values. Afghan Kitchen is the taste of home.” Upon entering you are transported into a lavishly decorated and spacious residence in Kabul with original art on the walls. There is also a traditional seating area where guest take off their shoes to enter.

Specialties include the Bolani (appetizer, and Mantu which are steamed, minced beef dumplings topped with split peas, tomato sauce and yogurt. Also specialty cocktails like the Gulrang Rose and Afghan Chutney Caesar created with house-prepared ingredients and fresh Afghani spices.

General Manager Zabi Sarwari joins us to embark on the culinary journey that is Afghan Kitchen.

Show 476, May 28, 2022: The Karachi Kitchen Foods, Seattle Part One

Sadaf and Kausar Ahmed of Karachi Kitchen in Seattle

Karachi Kitchen Foods is a family-owned and operated (mother and daughter) Seattle-based business specializing in small batch traditional Pakistani Chutneys and Spice Blends.”

“The foods are inspired by family recipes and created by Kausar Ahmed, Pakistani-born chef, food stylist, and author of the award-winning cookbook The Karachi Kitchen.”

“Chef Kausar has over 35 years of experience in culinary arts. She started cooking in her grandmother’s kitchen as a child and has devoted her career to opening worlds through food education. In Karachi, in addition to her own catering business, Kausar ran a program teaching culinary skills to women and youth in disadvantaged communities. Since 2019 she has been in Seattle as Project Feast Chef Instructor, charged with shepherding immigrant and refugee apprentices on their path to employment in Western Washington’s food industries.”

“Hoping to solve the problem of not being able to find high-quality, preservative-free Pakistani food products commercially, Karachi Kitchen Foods crafts all recipes from scratch using high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Foods are produced using traditional techniques and no artificial preservatives or additives to capture the authentic taste of Pakistani home cooking.”

A Karachi Kitchen Foods Newsletter with recipes and new product info is set to launch soon. Sign-up on the Karachi Kitchen Foods Website.

Chef Kausar Ahmed and daughter Sadaf Ahmed join us from Seattle with Chaat Masala seasoning in hand.

Show 476, May 28, 2022: The Karachi Kitchen Foods, Seattle Part Two

Sadaf and Kausar Ahmed of Karachi Kitchen in Seattle

Karachi Kitchen Foods is a family-owned and operated (mother and daughter) Seattle-based business specializing in small batch traditional Pakistani Chutneys and Spice Blends.”

“The foods are inspired by family recipes and created by Kausar Ahmed, Pakistani-born chef, food stylist, and author of the award-winning cookbook The Karachi Kitchen.”

“Chef Kausar has over 35 years of experience in culinary arts. She started cooking in her grandmother’s kitchen as a child and has devoted her career to opening worlds through food education. In Karachi, in addition to her own catering business, Kausar ran a program teaching culinary skills to women and youth in disadvantaged communities. Since 2019 she has been in Seattle as Project Feast Chef Instructor, charged with shepherding immigrant and refugee apprentices on their path to employment in Western Washington’s food industries.”

“Hoping to solve the problem of not being able to find high-quality, preservative-free Pakistani food products commercially, Karachi Kitchen Foods crafts all recipes from scratch using high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Foods are produced using traditional techniques and no artificial preservatives or additives to capture the authentic taste of Pakistani home cooking.”

A Karachi Kitchen Foods Newsletter with recipes and new product info is set to launch soon. Sign-up on the Karachi Kitchen Foods Website.

Chef Kausar Ahmed and daughter Sadaf Ahmed continue with us from Seattle with Tamarind & Date Chutney from Karachi Kitchen in hand.

Mandarin and Prosciutto Crostini

Mandarin and Prosciutto Crostini by Tara Teaspoonby Tata Bench
Tara Teaspoon

This is my essential appetizer. Toasted Crostini topped with a little slice of salty Prosciutto and some tangy Mandarin and Shallot Chutney. I’ve been known to make a full meal of these little bites. Double the caramelized shallot and mandarin portion of this recipe and keep the extra in the fridge. It works beautifully on top of chicken or a roast ham sandwich—or even for your next batch of crostini bites.

Chutney

  • 2 cups sliced shallots, sliced root to tip
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1⁄2 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
  • 1 cup fresh mandarin or clementine segments, roughly chopped
  • 1 recipe Crostini (below), prepared
  • 14 slices prosciutto
  • Toasted hazelnuts, crushed Fresh thyme
  1. In a medium, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, sauté the shallots and salt in olive oil, stirring often, until soft and translucent, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, bay leaf, and coriander seeds and let simmer until vinegar is reduced and almost gone, 10 to 12 minutes more. Stir in the mandarin seg- ments. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Top crostini with a half piece of prosciutto and a spoonful of the mandarin chutney. Sprinkle with hazelnuts and thyme leaves.

Crostini

  • 1 baguette, sliced 1⁄4-inch thick
  • 1⁄4 cup olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  1. Heat oven to 375oF. Brush slices of bread lightly with olive oil on both sides. Lay slices flat on rimmed baking sheets and sprinkle with some salt.
  2. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until lightly golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
  3. Store crostinis in a zip-top bag for up to 3 days.

Looks Delicious. Whenever I caramelize onions or shallots, I slice them from their root to the tip. Slicing them crosswise into rings or half-moons causes them to cook into long, stringy worms. The root-to-tip method allows the shallot or onion to hold its shape, looks better, and is easier to eat.