Why Ashak deserves more attention

Ashak rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The hearty and rice-forward complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using cardamom correctly takes real skill.

kabuli pallow rice is the national dish, traditionally cooked for the most important occasions. I encountered it first in an Afghan restaurant abroad and that context helped me understand it properly. fresh pomegranate juice is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Ashak is the dish to start with.