Ash-e joe with AH

The fun part about being in DC is that your neighbours are from various parts of the world and with a little neighbourly effort they turn into great friends and family members. Alma and her family moved in next door about two years ago and was I delirious...that year I was into Iran and here we had Iranians next door! After a visit to Tehran and Esfahan, where the food is mostly non-vegetarian I realized the value of Ash. Ash, the soups, are of various kinds and here is the one that is traditionally fed to young babies as their first whole meal and kind of remains forever after for most Iraninans, the best comfort food. I can totally see why! All that nutrition and goodness, especially in Winter months. This, Alma made for us in their newly bought, elegant home. She says she is now into Indian food after meeting me and her favourite item is Dosas with Coconut Chutney :)



Stirring the pot



Kashk or Whey is used as a garnish as well as in the soup, the Iranian species is a little sour



The Greens. They are available in dried form in all Iranian stores. Yekta and Sam's Market on Rockville Pike



The Lentils.



The Bean mix - mostly Garbanzo and Kidney and White, pearled Barley (Joe/Jo/Jow)



Fry some Onions and add to the mixture as well as some cooked Rice (not shown in photo)



Garnish with dried, fried Mint and Kashk, if you have them some fried Onions too




Detailed Recipe Here:
http://musicalchef.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/ash-e-joe/