Aushak (Afghan Spring Onion Dumplings)
Local name: آشک
In short: Boiled dumplings stuffed with chopped spring onions and herbs, served under garlicky yogurt, a tomato beef sauce and dried mint. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 45 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Calories
- 600 kcal
Aushak are Afghan dumplings filled with chopped spring onions instead of meat, then boiled and served under garlic yogurt, a meaty tomato sauce and dried mint. The filling is fresh and green, so the dumplings feel lighter than you expect, and the sauces bring richness. They are made for guests and holiday meals, and the work is best shared, because there are many to fold.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt, add the water gradually and knead for 8 minutes into a firm dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Toss the spring onions with the salt and leave for 5 minutes, then squeeze out the water. Mix with the oil, pepper and chili flakes.
- For the sauce, fry the onion in the oil for 8 minutes until golden. Add the beef and brown for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, coriander, turmeric and salt, add the water and simmer for 20 minutes until thick.
- Stir the yogurt with the garlic and salt.
- Roll the dough out very thin and cut into 9 cm (3 1/2 in) circles. Put 1 teaspoon of filling on each, fold into a half-moon and press the edges firmly with a wet finger to seal.
- Boil the dumplings in a large pot of salted water, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes, until they float and the dough looks translucent. Lift out with a slotted spoon.
- Spread the yogurt on plates, set the aushak on top, spoon over the meat sauce and sprinkle with dried mint and coriander.
Tips
- Squeezing the salted spring onions is important, or the filling will leak water and burst the dumplings. Do not overfill, so the edges seal well.
- Chinese chives, called gandana in Afghanistan, are traditional if you can find them. Leeks work as a replacement, if chopped very finely.
Questions and answers
Can I make aushak ahead of time?
Shape the dumplings and freeze them in one layer on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Boil from frozen for 8 minutes.
Is there a vegetarian version?
Yes. Use the same filling and replace the beef sauce with one made of lentils, tomato paste and onion, or serve with yogurt only.
Why did my dumplings open?
They were probably overfilled, or the edges were not sealed tightly. Dust the dough lightly with water, not flour, when sealing.
How long does it take to make Aushak (Afghan Spring Onion Dumplings)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Aushak (Afghan Spring Onion Dumplings)?
About 600 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 600 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
