Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s food is built around hearty rice pilafs, dumplings, kebabs and flatbreads shaped by Persian, Central Asian and South Asian influences. Look for Kabuli Pulao (national rice pilaf with lamb, caramelized carrots, raisins and almonds), Mantu (steamed beef-and-onion dumplings topped with yogurt, lentils and dried mint) and Bolani (thin flatbread stuffed with potato or leek, pan-fried, dipped in yogurt). Rice with lamb, carrots and raisins, treated as the national dish and served at weddings and Nowruz; the name refers to Kabul. This atlas has 35 Afghanistan dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.