Stories and recipes: what better way to learn about the culture of a people who live in a distant land?

In The Honey Thief Najaf Mazari spins a series of tales, taken from the centuries-long oral tradition of his tribe, the Hazara. A native of Afghanistan ( he escaped the Taliban in 2000, and lives in Australia) , he partnered with writer and friend Robert Hillman to give a permanent voice to the spoken lore of the war-torn nation’s third largest ethnic group.

Centered on characters, some ancient, some modern day: Among the cast, you’ll be introduced to a musician with extraordinary levitating talents, a wise and patient beekeeper, a revered Master Poisoner, and a boy with an uncanny gift for attracting riches. The stories are unusual and beguiling, have elements of magic and wonder. There are struggles, heartaches, and triumphs. There is laughter. There is hope.

The stories speak, too, of the Hazara love of their land, of its natural beauty.

“I could take you places in the north close to the Oxus river that would steal your breath away; places that you would not believe could exist as I lead you through an arid landscape of broken rock and red sand and stunted bushes. Then you would suddenly find yourself gazing down from a mountain pass on the river shining under a blue sky and a green carpet climbing up the slopes. And you would think, ‘Ah! This is Paradise!”

And, while I would encourage you to take delight in exploring this world through these tales, I think you’ll also be drawn in by Mazari’s discussion of the cooking of the Hazara. He devotes a couple of chapters to his people’s diet, their pantry of staples, and some favored dishes.

What I especially enjoyed about delving into these food chapters is that Mazari’s voice is so clear and present in the narrative. Ingredients and specialty dishes are described in a humorous and engaging manner. It’s like he is right there with you in the kitchen, talking you through the recipe.

Take, for example, his Lamb with Spinach, which I chose to make. It is a dish of celebrations, always served at weddings.

“With this dish,” he writes, “your jaws and teeth get a holiday. The lamb has to melt in your mouth and just the pressure of your palate will bring out all the flavour that the meat has absorbed from the spices and herbs. So, good lamb, no excuses, cut from the leg, one-and-a-half kilos.”

I’ve transcribed his recipe in a more traditional American way,

but it is faithful to his instructions. He calls for “pinches” of seasonings, for instance–for which I have given teaspoon measurements. In this regard, he says, “You judge.”

Lamb is prepared in a gentle saute, its delectable taste enhanced in a steady building of flavors and spice. You don’t want these to obscure the flavor of the lamb, or overwhelm it. Onions are critical in Afghan cooking and impart earthy sweetness. Garlic is important too, added with more restraint.

One-by-one, fragrant spices–turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg– are stirred into the stew. Stock, tomatoes, and their juices give the meat a medium in which to bathe and tenderize.

After a turn in the oven, the lamb is ready for its final touches–spinach, lemon zest, and a “proper” yogurt (NOT that foolish kind with strawberries and bananas, Mazari cajoles!)

What emerges is a rich lamb stew, complex in spicing, melt-away in texture. Because I like heat, I added some cayenne, (not too much, Mazari cautions) which elevates all of the taste layers.

How fine to dine in an Afghan tradition. Sabzi Gosht is indeed Feast-worthy!

SABZI GOSHT (LAMB WITH SPINACH) adapted from The Honey Thief by Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 lbs. lamb, cut from the leg into 1″ cubes
2 large yellow onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1 cup beef stock
5 large ripe tomatoes, or 1 28 oz. can plum tomatoes
1 bunch fresh baby spoon spinach
1 cup plain yogurt
zest from 1 lemon
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

Warm olive oil on medium heat in a heavy-duty pot–best if the pot can go from stovetop to oven. You’ll begin by sauteing in stages.
Add lamb and begin to brown the meat–don’t crowd the pieces.
Stir in the diced onion and continue sauteing for a few minutes. Stir in the garlic.
One by one, stir in the spices—turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom—and then stir in the black pepper and salt.
Add the tomatoes and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Pour in stock. Stir well.
Cover and place in the oven, preheated to 300 degrees.
Allow the lamb to cook for for 1 1/2-2 hours.
Remove from oven and stir in the spinach. The heat will collapse and cook the leaves.
Fold in plain yogurt and lemon zest.
Taste for salt and seasonings.

Let the stew “settle” for about 15 minutes–allow the flavors to marry.

Serve over basmati rice and garnish with toasted pine nuts.

Makes 6 servings.

1. FOODESSA Says:
   April 22nd, 2013 at 5:54 pm

   How wonderful of you to bring us such delicious complexity in one very colorful dish.
   Your latest inspiration seems to have brought the best in your cooking Nancy.

   Hubby loves lamb…and those spices are just the right blend for my tummy ;o)

   Lovely post and bookmarked for sure.

   Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
   Claudia

2. Rach Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 12:55 am

   Both the book and the dish sound absolutely delicious. I have eaten something rather like this in an persian restaurant In London – tender, gently sweet an spiced lamb. Bookmarked. It is the countdown and Rome will be perfectly springlike and blooming when you arrive xx

3. heather Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 3:28 am

   I can really sense your excitement for this book and recipe! Can’t wait to check it out myself. Thank you Nancy.

4. Teresa, foodonfifth.com Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 5:45 am

   Nance, this book sounds so interesting…travels & food, stories of life, love and cuisine. I will look for this book and take my own cooking trip with you. Your version of the book recipe is delicious looking. I like the idea of “a rest for your teeth and jaws”. So well put that it tells you exactly that the dish will be tender!

5. Julie Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 7:43 am

   Melt . . .

6. Joyti Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 10:19 am

   The dish sounds really interesting. And based on your description, the book sounds like an adventure and very informative, I’ll have to check it out!

7. Kath Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 10:52 am

   Oh my this looks delicious. I love it when a book inspires so much.

8. Tammy Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 6:24 pm

   Thank you for the review. The book sounds fascinating – of course, it speaks to all things that intrigue me – we have a new goat vendor who shared that I should choose my favorite lamb recipes to try his goat. Maybe I will seek this one out.

9. Denise | Chez Danisse Says:
   April 23rd, 2013 at 8:28 pm

   This looks so delicious and I’m oh so hungry. What to do…

10. Juliana Says:
    April 24th, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    The book sounds really interesting, and the lamb with spinach delicious with all the spices…yes, I would love to try this…
    Hope you are having a lovely week Nancy :)

11. Patrice Says:
    April 24th, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Both lamb and book are intriguing. I know so little about Afghan life, culture, cuisine. Great post.

12. Christine @ Fresh Says:
    April 24th, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    I love wealth of spices that warm this lamb curry. I’ll have to get myself a copy of that book.

13. Barbara Says:
    April 25th, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    The books sounds excellent, Nancy. Will look into it via amazon.
    What fabulous flavors in the lamb dish….so clever of you to interpret it so perfectly.

14. Denny Says:
    April 26th, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    Delicious lamb! Would love this at a wedding or at anytime!

15. Kitchen Belleicious Says:
    April 30th, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    i haven’t cooked lamb as much as I have liked to. I am not threatened in the kitchen by alot of things but lamb seems to intimidate me for some reason. I would love to try out your recipe! IT looks amazing

16. Karen (Back Road Journal) Says:
    May 1st, 2013 at 6:45 am

    An enjoyable book, I’m sure, and to top it with…a delicious sounding recipe.

17. Relish Blogs – Week 5.6 Says:
    May 3rd, 2013 at 8:49 am

    [...] Food Matters Good Food Matters brings us not just Lamb with Spinach, a gently spiced stew made with tomatoes and yogurt, but its context. The recipe is from The Honey [...]