Aush (Afghani Chili)

Name: Aush (Afghani Chili)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h 10 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, coarsely chopped; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 ½ tablespoons dried mint; 2 tablespoons garam masala; 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained; 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained; 1 (16 ounce) package fettuccine, broken in half; 1 cup sour cream

Rating: 4.48 stars

60 Ratings
51 Reviews
13 Photos

This is a delicious and exotic alternative to American-style chili. It's not too spicy, but combines intriguing flavors. I adapted this recipe from a traditional Afghani family favorite. It may be cooked in a slow cooker, Dutch oven, or soup pot. Try it also with ground lamb or ground turkey.

By Bonnie C

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Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

3 hrs 10 mins

total:

3 hrs 25 mins

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; remove with slotted spoon to a large pot; reserving drippings in the skillet. Cook and stir the onion in the reserved drippings until golden brown; remove with slotted spoon and add to beef in the pot. Stir the tomatoes with juice, garlic, red pepper, cumin, chili powder, mint, garam masala, garbanzo beans, and spinach into the beef mixture and place the pot over low heat; simmer 3 to 6 hours.

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Step 2

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the fettuccini, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Stir into the chili along with the sour cream and serve hot.

Cook's Notes:

Aush is traditionally a noodle dish, but feel free to substitute cooked rice. You can also use a package of cooked small or medium egg noodles instead of the pasta.

The dish may be frozen before the noodles or rice are added.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

613 calories; protein 30g; carbohydrates 78.6g; fat 20.7g; cholesterol 64.2mg; sodium 466.7mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (51)

Most helpful positive review

MellyG

11/29/2010

I didn't have the time to simmer for quite as long as the recipe called for, and I didn't have mint in the house, so I would like to try it again, but it was excellent!!! I was leary about the amount of cumin, because I really don't like cumin, but I added the full amount and was very impressed. Easy dish to make and extremely flavourful. I definitely recommend it!!! Read More

Helpful

(21)

Most helpful critical review

Becky Ambrose Rokitowski

01/20/2011

This was ok and it was fun to try something different. I halved the recipe. It was fairly spicy (my 5-yr-old wouldn't eat it) and the mint and nutmeg/cinnamon flavors were interesting. I liked the fettuccine noodles. I would add more chick peas if I make it again - they add nice balance to the spices. Read More

Helpful

(11)

60 Ratings

5 star values: 39
4 star values: 14
3 star values: 5
2 star values: 1
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

MellyG

11/28/2010

Helpful

(21)

CHRISTYJ

11/12/2010

We really liked this very different dish. I followed the recipe except I used ground turkey, added salt and served it over basmati rice. Interestingly, I "Googled" Aush and learned that this is pretty close to the real deal. All recipes called for pasta rather than rice, but since we prefer rice with this flavor combination, that's what I used. Maybe next time I will go with pasta. Read More

Helpful

(19)

Kayla55

01/07/2009

Really delicious. I used the recipe for easy garam masala from this site and it was delicious. I also added a tin of tomato paste and a cup or so of corn for personal taste. Will definitely make again. Read More

Helpful

(16)

angelscry85

01/25/2011

The recipe was delicious. I followed it just as it is on here except I added chopped cabbage (since I had half a head in the fridge) and about a tablespoon of brown sugar since it came out a tad bit spicy from the peppers flakes. It turned out delicious with a hint of sweet and spicy and YUM...:) Read More

Helpful

(14)

Melissa H.

02/25/2009

Awesome recipe. Would be good with egg noodles instead of fettucine. Smells great while cooking and tastes just as good! Thanks for this unique yummy one! Read More

Helpful

(14)

Mariam

08/31/2010

I followed the recipe exactly except for using linguini instead of fettuccini. I thought it smelled amazing throughout the house. However, the flavours did not come out so much due to the lack of salt. I added some to our plates after tasting it, and it made a big difference. I don't know why, but pasta in this dish also felt a bit odd to me. I think I would make this sauce again but maybe with some basmati rice on the side or something. Also, I would cook it all in the same pot instead of in two pots, which means I would add the onions to the meat and continue this way, step by step, but all in one pot. I doubt it would make a difference, since I've done that to so many other recipes that asked for separate pots. Never made a difference! Read More

Helpful

(12)

Darryl

06/22/2009

Doesn't look anything like North American style chili so don't be expecting that. Still delicious though! Read More

Helpful

(11)

Becky Ambrose Rokitowski

01/20/2011

Helpful

(11)

Dori Hillestad Butler

01/06/2009

Nice and spicy just the way we like it. Very aromatic as it's simmering those 3-6 hours...and it tasted as good as it smelled. Thanks for the recipe...I didn't change a thing. Read More

Helpful

(10)

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Back to Aush (Afghani Chili)

All Reviews for Aush (Afghani Chili)

- of Reviews

Aush (Afghani Chili)

Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories: 613.2

% Daily Value *

protein: 60 %

carbohydrates: 25 %

dietary fiber: 35 %

sugars:

fat: 32 %

saturated fat: 46 %

cholesterol: 21 %

vitamin a iu: 147 %

niacin equivalents: 92 %

vitamin b6: 42 %

vitamin c: 32 %

folate: 67 %

calcium: 23 %

iron: 54 %

magnesium: 42 %

potassium: 24 %

sodium: 19 %

thiamin: 11 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Aush (Afghani Chili)

1 of 51

All Reviews

MellyG

11/28/2010

Helpful

(21)

CHRISTYJ

11/12/2010

Helpful

(19)

Kayla55

01/07/2009

Helpful

(16)

angelscry85

01/25/2011

Helpful

(14)

Melissa H.

02/25/2009

Awesome recipe. Would be good with egg noodles instead of fettucine. Smells great while cooking and tastes just as good! Thanks for this unique yummy one!

Helpful

(14)

Mariam

08/31/2010

Helpful

(12)

Darryl

06/22/2009

Doesn't look anything like North American style chili so don't be expecting that. Still delicious though!

Helpful

(11)

Becky Ambrose Rokitowski

01/20/2011

Helpful

(11)

Dori Hillestad Butler

01/06/2009

Nice and spicy just the way we like it. Very aromatic as it's simmering those 3-6 hours...and it tasted as good as it smelled. Thanks for the recipe...I didn't change a thing.

Helpful

(10)