World Flavors Cookbook

Ashak

Boiled dumplings filled with leek and scallion, served on yogurt with meat sauce and dried mint — the elegant cousin of mantu.

Cuisine: Afghanistan

Ingredients

• For dough: 400g flour, water, salt
• For filling: 300g leeks, finely chopped; 2 spring onions; 1 tsp dried chili; salt
• For meat sauce: 400g ground beef, onion, tomato, spices
• 400ml yogurt, dried mint

Instructions

1. Make dough. Rest 30 minutes.
2. Mix filling: leeks, spring onions, chili, and salt.
3. Roll dough thin. Cut into circles or squares.
4. Fill and fold into half-moon shapes. Seal edges.
5. Boil in salted water 10-12 minutes.
6. Prepare meat sauce: fry beef with onion, tomatoes, and spices.
7. Serve dumplings on yogurt, top with meat sauce and dried mint.