Afghanistan & Philippines

Afghanistan

Original Word: War

Nationality: Afghan

Language: Afghan Persian and Pashto

Population: 30,419,928

40th largest country in the world.

Capital: Kabul

I was just watching something about Afghanistan. What I learned was that the country is made up of different tribes. I never really think of tribes in this part of the world. I also find their flag to be one of the prettiest.

Kofta means meatball. Nakhod means chickpeas.

Kofta Nakhod (Meatballs and Chickpeas)

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

250g/1/2lb ground beef

250g/1/2lb ground lamb

1 small onion, finely minced

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp dried mint

1 tbsp breadcrumbs

6 cups chicken broth (more or less)

Grind chickpeas in a food processor. Mix everything but chicken broth together. Bring stock to a boil. Form 1.5 inch meatballs and drop into boiling stock. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Serve.

I served ours with some roasted broccoli to round out the meal.

I liked this dinner. However, I would chose matzo ball soup over this. I probably will not make it again. But, it was good. For something different try this out!

Philippines

Original Word: Manila

Nationality: Filipino

Language: Filipino

Population: 103,775,002

12th largest country in the world.

Capital: Manila

I have learned that Polynesian counties like the Philippines have a Spanish influence in their cuisine. Adobo which I usually think of South American is actually Filipino.

Pancit (Stir Fry Noodles)

Dried rice noodles (I used 1/2 of the package)

1 onion, sliced

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups veggies (cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, snow peas, sugar snap peas, edamame)

a few tbsps soy sauce

Cook rice noodles according to instructions. Make sure you rinse the noodles after cooking them. Rice noodles have extra starch that needs to be rinsed off.

Using a wok or large skillet heat up tsp oil over high heat. Add onion and veggies to wok. Stir fry for a few minutes and add half of the garlic to the veggies and stir fry for 1 minute. Set to the side. Heat up another tsp of oil. Add noodles. Beware: there is water in the noodles so it might splatter. Stir fry for a minute or two. Add garlic and stir fry for a minute. Add veggies and stir together. Add a few splashes of soy sauce. Soy sauce is all up to you. I probably only used a few tbsp of soy sauce. Serve.

I know, I know this sounds simple. I could have eaten all of this by myself. I did have to share with David sadly. It probably cost me 2 pounds! You of course could add chicken or shrimp. Rice noodles have become my new favorite thing! If you have never had them try them!

So far I have completed: 14 countries

How many to go: 36