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In the vibrant streets of Afghanistan, an age-old treat thrives: sheer yakh, their special ice cream. It’s not just food, but a journey through time, showcasing Afghan spirit and joy.
The sheer yakh wallahs, the ice cream masters, start with a mix of milk, sugar, and cream. They add the familiar scents of cardamom and rose, evoking old memories. This mix goes into bags, then into a wooden bucket filled with ice and salt, which helps it solidify.
The key step? Churning. With care and patience, they turn the liquid into ice cream. As the day ends, they serve the Sheer Yakh under the stars, sprinkled with pistachios, making it a sweet symbol of Afghanistan’s past.
The making of Sheer Yakh on the streets of Afghanistan is more than just a process; it’s an age-old tradition, a testament to the spirit of the Afghan people, and an echo of their rich heritage. It is a symphony of flavors, a dance of elements, and a story of resilience, love, and culinary excellence, served in a frozen treat under the vast Afghan sky.
Far from the vibrant streets of her native Afghanistan, under the serene quiet of a foreign winter, my mom found herself missing a nostalgic taste of home – Sheer Yakh. As she watched the snow gracefully fall outside our window, an idea began to kindle in her mind. Although we didn’t have the traditional safand bucket or the typical tubular bags, we had a few essentials at hand – fresh snow, cardamom, rose water, and pistachios.
Making and eating Sheer Yakh is more than just a recipe; it’s about bonding and sharing stories. It’s a symbol of love and history, best enjoyed with family.
Tune in to a quick video on making this tasty Ice-Cream
If this treat makes you think of Afghan streets and you wish for something more, check out Rug Source. They have beautiful Afghan rugs, each with a story. Imagine enjoying Sheer Yakh on one of these rugs. It’s not just a treat or a rug, but an experience of Afghan warmth.
Picture this: You’re sitting on your new rug from Rug Source, a beautiful replica of traditional Afghan craftsmanship right there in your home. You can almost hear the distant echo of the Sheer Yakh wallah’s chime, feel the vibrant energy of the bazaars, the warmth of the Afghan sun. As you enjoy your Sheer Yakh, you’re not just savoring an exotic treat; you’re living a slice of Afghan life.
what you need to make Sheer Yakh at home
Ingredients Needed:
Snowy Delight: Crafting Homemade sheer yakh on a Winter’s Day
Course: DessertCuisine: Afghan30
minutes30
minutes1
hourIngredients
For the Spiced Syrup
– 1 ½ Cup water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon powdered cardamom
For the Rosewater-Infused Rice Noodles
– 4 cups water
– 200 grams rice stick noodles
– 2 cup cold water
– 1 tablespoons rose water
For Serving
– Snow ice (as desired)
– Cold milk (as desired)
– Vanilla ice cream (as desired)
– Pinch of pistachio, crushed
Directions
- Making the Spiced Syrup
- Preparation: Place a saucepan on the stove and set the heat to medium-high.
- Boiling Water: Pour 1 ½ Cup of water into the saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Sugar Infusion: Add the cup of granulated sugar to the boiling water, stirring continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Spice it Up: Add 1 tablespoon of powdered cardamom to the sugar mixture, stirring well to distribute the spice evenly.
- Thickening: Continue to boil the mixture until the syrup becomes sticky to the touch. Be cautious during this step; sugar can burn easily if unattended.
- Cool Down: Carefully transfer the syrup to a heatproof bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature. You can refrigerate it for faster cooling.
- Preparing the Rosewater-Infused Rice Noodles
- Boil Water: In a separate pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Noodle Time: Add the rice stick noodles to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer: Let the noodles simmer until they’re soft to the touch, but not mushy.
- Straining: Drain the noodles in a colander and transfer them to a bowl.
- Rosewater Infusion: Add 2 cups of cold water and 1 tablespoons of rose water to the noodles, mixing well to ensure that the flavors meld together.
- Chill: Place the bowl in the fridge and allow the noodles to chill for a few hours to let the rosewater flavor fully permeate.
- Assembling Sheer Yakh
- Snow Ice: In a serving bowl, place a generous layer of snow ice at the bottom.
- Drizzle Syrup: Gently pour the spiced syrup over the snow ice, adding a perfect blend of sweetness and aromatic spice.
- Pour Milk: Add a splash of cold milk over the syrup, enriching the texture and balancing the flavors.
- Rice Noodles: Layer the rosewater-infused rice noodles on top of the milk.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Top your masterpiece with a scoop (or two) of sumptuous vanilla ice cream.
- Final Touch: Garnish with a pinch of crushed pistachio for a nutty crunch.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe?
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
Click Here to Make Afghanistan’s National Dish: Kabuli Pulao Recipe
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