NPR Features Afghan Cuisine, Interviews Mrs. Shamim Jawad
On Sunday, June 22 NPR interviewed Mrs. Shamim Jawad, wife of Ambassador Said. T. Jawad, in a segment on Afghan cuisine that included a recipe for a traditional eggplant dish. In the segment, Mrs. Jawad speaks of Afghan food and her childhood in Kabul, and she walks NPR reporter Daniel Zwerdling through the simple preparation of the eggplant dish, known as borrani banjan, by Chef Nasim Ahmadi.
Afghan cuisine is a rich mix of a variety of regional and local cuisines, from Chinese to Indian. Additionally, Afghanistan's historical position as a crossroads for traders has allowed its food to be infused with diverse ingredients not seen in other cuisines.
The Washington, D.C. Metro area has a significant number of Afghan restaurants and markets. Additionally, a number of local restaurants are including Afghan-inspired dishes in their menus this summer to help draw attention to the widely acclaimed exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures of the National Museum, Kabul." (The restaurants include the Garden Cafe in the National Gallery's West Building and Mie N Yu in Georgetown.)
In early May 2008, the Embassy of Afghanistan hosted the "Taste of Afghanistan," an event celebrating Afghan cuisine and bringing attention to the diversity of cultures and flavors inherent in its many dishes.
For four Afghan receipes, please visit our website on Afghan cuisine.
