Afghan · intermediate
Afghan Steamed Beef Dumplings With Yellow Split Pea Sauce
A beloved Afghan comfort dish featuring spiced ground beef wrapped in tender steamed dough, served over garlic yogurt and topped with a savory yellow split pea tomato sauce.
- PREP TIME
- 25 min
- COOK TIME
- 35 min
- SERVES
- 4
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, half of the diced onions, ground coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper until fully integrated.
- 02
Place a tablespoon of beef filling in the center of each wrapper, moisten the wrapper edges lightly with water, fold diagonally, and pinch the corners together tightly.
- 03
Lightly oil a steamer basket and arrange the dumplings in a single layer without touching; steam over boiling water for 18 to 20 minutes until cooked through.
- 04
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute the remaining onions for 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
- 05
Stir tomato paste, cooked split peas, and half a cup of water into the skillet; simmer for 8 minutes until a thick, glossy sauce forms.
- 06
In a bowl, whisk yogurt with minced garlic and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- 07
Spread half of the garlic yogurt over a warm platter, arrange steamed dumplings on top, spoon split pea sauce over the dumplings, and garnish with remaining yogurt and dried mint.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Steam-Folding Dumpling Technique
Encasing seasoned raw ground meat inside thin pastry sheets and steaming over boiling water so juices render and cook the protein internally.
Notes from the kitchen
- Fold wrappers tightly around meat to avoid trapping excess air, which causes dumplings to burst during steaming.
- Brush steamer trays with oil to prevent pastry wrappers from sticking and tearing when removed.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Afghan; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.
