Biryani Challenge ~ Afghani-style

When I first read about HH’s biryani challenge, I got really excited.
Looking up recipes, I got really excited.

& now, posting this, I’m really excited.

I decided to go the atypical route, and make an Afghani biryani (recipe here). This is because I grew up with Afghani biryani thanks to the family in the apartment across from ours. I still remember their lively dance parties, how the movements concentrated on the arms, and the events brought both family and friends together at least once a week. It didn’t matter if you’d never met the people before, by the end of the night (or should I say next morning?) you were like best friends. & without fail, there would always be a dish of nuts, lemon wedges, and a heaping tray of biryani. It was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. Very light and fragrant, with little candy punches from all the raisins mixed in. I don’t remember there being any meat, so I’ve left it out here.

To me this dish represents a home I once had, and that I know I can never go back to. Everyone moves away, and then you move, and the memories collect dust until a biryani challenge picks them up. So thank you, HH, for reminding me of part of my life I’d nearly forgot.

Mine ended up being a rather pared-down version since cardamom and cumin were not available. I substituted corriander instead, which is nothing close. But, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I’m sure my neighbours would understand.

See what HH has been cooking, as well as the others in the challenge here.

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