Ashak

Ashak is a delightful Afghan dish made from tender dumplings stuffed with aromatic vegetables, served with a creamy yogurt base and topped with a savory meat or vegetarian sauce. With layers of flavor and texture, these dumplings are perfect as a hearty appetizer or a satisfying main course.

Ingredients

🥬 2 large leeks, thinly sliced
🧅 5-6 stalks of spring onion, finely chopped
🌿 1 bunch of coriander, finely chopped
🌶️ 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
🧂 Salt, to taste
🌿 1 teaspoon coriander powder
🌶️ ½ teaspoon black pepper
🌶️ ½ teaspoon red chili powder
🫒 3-4 tablespoons cooking oil
🥟 Pre-made square dumpling wrappers
💧 Water, for boiling
🥛 Plain yogurt, sufficient to spread on a plate
🍲 Your favorite savory topping, e.g., spiced ground meat sauce
🌿 Dried mint, for garnish

Instructions

1- Prepare the Vegetables:

• Rinse and slice the leeks into thin slices.
• Wash and finely chop the spring onions and coriander.
• Chop the green chilies finely and place all veggies into a mixing bowl.

2- Make the Filling:

• To the bowl of chopped veggies, add salt, coriander powder, black pepper, and red chili powder.
• Drizzle with cooking oil and mix thoroughly, using your gloved hands, until well combined.

3- Assemble the Dumplings:

• Lightly dust a clean surface with flour.
• Lay out the dumpling wrappers on this surface.
• Place a small amount of the vegetable mixture in the center of each wrapper.
• Fold the wrapper by bringing two opposite corners together to form a triangle. Pinch the edges to seal. Bring the two base corners together and pinch to create the desired dumpling shape.

4- Cook the Dumplings:

• In a pot, bring water to a boil.
• Gently drop the dumplings into the boiling water.
• Boil for about 5 minutes, until they float and appear slightly translucent.
• Stir gently using a spider strainer to prevent sticking.

5- Serve the Ashak:

• Spread a layer of plain yogurt on a serving plate.
• Using the strainer, remove the dumplings from the pot and place them on the yogurt.
• Drizzle more yogurt and add dollops of your preferred savory sauce on top.
• Garnish with dried mint.

Prep Time: Approximately 20-40 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 25-45 minutes
Servings: Approximately 4
Equipment:

• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Silicone baking mat
• Stainless steel pot and spider strainer
• Stove/hob
• Serving plate
• Disposable gloves

Cooking Tips

• Finely chop vegetables for even distribution in the filling.
• Avoid overcrowding the pot while boiling to ensure dumplings cook properly.
• Assembling dumplings in a tortellini-like shape helps them hold together during cooking.

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Ashak

Posted by Waivio guest: @waivio_hivecooking