Sept 13 & 14
Mantu
One of the most popular dishes in Afghanistan, these dumplings are a popular street food that are also served on special occasions. It’s said that Turkic and Mongol horsemen of Central Asia carried frozen mantu during the cold winters while traveling long distances and then boiled them over campfires for supper. The homemade dumpling dough is stuffed with beef and steamed. Topped with chaka (drained yogurt, minced garlic, lemon, and salt) and a tomato sauce. Vegetarian/Vegan: Ashaks – savory dumplings filled with leeks and fresh herbs. They are topped with homemade yogurt and a tomato sauce made from garlic, ginger, green chilies, and spices. Gluten-Free: Beef Koftas (meatballs)
Borani Banjan
Melt-in-your-mouth eggplants that have been fried until they’re velvety and tender are sautéed in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, garlic, ginger. and green chillies. It’s topped with a garlicky yogurt sauce. This vegetarian dish can be served as a side or an entree. Gluten-Free and Vegetarian. Vegan: Borani Banjan without yogurt
Lamb Kebab Salad
Sliced Lamb marinated with lime and garlic, grilled, and mixed with fried potatoes, onions, tomatoes, fresh coriander, mint leaves, bell pepper, and shish kebab spice. Vegetarian/Vegan: a salad of fried potatoes, onions, tomatoes, fresh coriander, mint leaves, bell pepper, and shish kebab spice.
Kabuli Palaw
The national dish of Afghanistan, kabuli palaw translates to “excellent rice.” In fact, this dish is so important that brides-to-be must prove to their in-laws that they can cook it well. Afghan Sela rice cooked in a broth sauce and topped with fried sliced carrots, raisins, and chopped nuts. The meat, in this case lamb, is typically covered by the rice mixture. Gluten-Free. Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Kabuli palaw with a side of Sabzi Palak — spinach cooked with onions, garlic, Afghan spices, green peas, and green chillies.
Sheer Berenj
We promise this rice pudding is unlike any you’ve ever had! The grains of rice are soaked overnight and ground up before being mixed with milk, butter, almonds, sugar, and cream. The result is a thick and creamy rice pudding. Topped with pistachios. Gluten-Free. Vegetarian. Vegan: Fruit salad – various kinds of fresh chopped fruits mixed in vegan jelly.
About our Chef
Shaista Amani is a trailblazing leader dedicated to empowering Afghan refugees in Atlanta. With a degree in political science from the University of Kabul, she broke barriers as the first woman in her family to attend university. Her early career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Kabul was centered around empowering women, where her multilingual abilities in English, Dari, Pashto, and Urdu played a crucial role in helping women find employment and educational opportunities. This foundation of advocacy and leadership set the stage for her future endeavors.
After relocating to Atlanta in 2017 with her family, Shaista confronted the challenges of resettlement head-on. Leveraging her resilience and language skills, she quickly adapted to her new environment. She launched Shaista’s Kitchen, a catering business that not only provided for her family but also created jobs for other Afghan women, helping them gain certifications and licenses in the food industry. Her community involvement extended to the Refugee Women’s Network, where she served as a program manager, furthering her commitment to supporting refugees in their journey towards independence and integration.
In 2023, Shaista took on the role of Program Director at the Afghan American Alliance of Georgia. Since joining, she has been instrumental in securing grants, expanding the organization’s services, and establishing vital partnerships. Her initiatives include adding full-time case managers, program coordinator, organizing workshops, and collaborating with Georgia State University to offer English classes. Under her leadership, the Alliance has flourished, providing Afghan refugees with the tools and resources they need to build new lives. Shaista’s dedication and visionary approach continue to inspire and drive positive change within the Atlanta community.
Shaista got the Lady Locavers Award in 2022 and she is still accepting catering orders so keep her contact info if you have any parties or events!
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