Afghan Tea An Authentic Family Food

SPICY AFGHAN CHAI TEA

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a very light boil. Break the cinnamon stick into smaller pieces and add it to the water immediately followed by the cardamom seeds and a tiny pinch of ginger. too much will overpower the other spices.
• Simmer for a 5-10 minutes or until the water turns slightly yellow and emits a pleasant smell. The cardamom seeds will swell slightly.
• Turn the heat off, add the tea leaves, and stir.
• Let steep for 1-3 minutes or to taste.
• Strain and enjoy!
• Note:.
• To prepare larger amounts, multiply ingredients by the number of cups you wish to make and follow the same procedure.

SAMBOSAS (AFGHAN MEAT TURNOVER)

Steps:

• Brown ground beef in a non-stick pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. When its just cooked through, drain on paper towels to dispose of excess grease. Return beef to pan, along with enough drained oil so it's moist, add the cardamom, cayenne, crushed/chopped garlic and the finely chopped onion. Cook until the onion & garlic is softened and spice is fragrant. Remove from heat and cool.
• To form the sambosas, take about a tablespoon (if using the small wontons, more if using the egg roll size), not too much, ensuing that you can fold the wonton over into a triangle without the filling falling out. Brush one side of the wonton with water at the edge to make a tight seal, using either your fingers or tines of a fork to do this. Make all the sambosas and keep on a sheet covered with paper towels to prevent sticking. You can do all this ahead of time and store covered with Plastic Wrap in the fridge till ready to cook.
• When ready to finish the sambosas, put a nonstick pan or pot onto med/high heat and add enough oil for shallow frying, about half to 3/4 an inch of oil should do it. Shallow fry in batches till golden brown, and drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve, best when hot but are good at room temp too. I serve them with my family's chilled yogurt sauce(see other recipe). Not healthy but delicious, even my southern wife and family loves them!
• Enjoy!

COQUITO (CHEF GALARZA'S FAMILY RECIPE)

Steps:

• I have given out this recipe to some friends and family over time. All of them have said the same thing theirs does not taste like mine. The truth about being a great cook is you have to love to cook or entertain, if you are just doing it to do it, it will not taste right. Do it because you have passion for it.
• My personal spin on this goes like this:.
• 1. Get your blender setup and start by pouring (1) can of evaporated milk, and adding (3) tbs of cinnamon. Pulse the blender for about 3 seconds.
• 2. Pour in (1) can of condensed milk and pulse for 5 seconds.
• 3. Pour in (1) can of evaporated milk and pulse for 5 seconds.
• 4. Pour in (1) can of cream of coconut and pulse for 5 seconds.
• 5. Pour in last can of condensed milk (3) tbs of vanilla and add the (4) oz of rum. Mix in blender for about 1 minute.
• This should render about 2 liters of coquito. You can use sterilized empty wine bottles or purchase one. Pour into bottles or bottle and freeze for about (4) hours. This drink will not freeze completely, it will acquire the form of a melted ice cream. It is very rich, that is why it should be consumed as cold as possible. Enjoy.