"Don't Be Eye Candy, Be Soul Food"
~Anonymous
After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, many started fleeing the country and migrated to India, for work and living. Delhi became one of the biggest hubs for afghani migrants and along with them, they brought their culture and food. Since the late 1990s, they started residing in the area of Lajpat Nagar, Bhogal, and Khirki Village of Delhi and selling roti, rogan josh, paratha, Lavasa, and other delicacies.
Naan is one of the staple foods for Afghans which takes lots of time to prepare. The Naanwais of Delhi has their own bakery and shop from which they directly serve the customer. Every day the process of making the dough starts around 7 am and the first lot usually gets sold by noon. The dough is divided into small lumps which are weighted to be around 250gms. The dough balls are then placed on a cloth before its flattened to give the shape. Hamid and Mirwaiz Baseeri, who came from Kabul in 2012, started their bread shop in Lajpat Nagar where he sells all kinds of Afghan bread. (Rogan Naan and Round Afghan Bread). Every day they open their shop around 7 am and start with the making of the dough. Both simultaneously work and serve the customers. Their shop is now 3yrs old and is quite famous in the Lajpat Nagar area.
Once flattened, the intricate patterns are made on them by a comb or Mokhbar (a small cylindrical object with a handle) and either poppy or sesame seeds are sprinkled. After keeping it set for 15min it is placed inside the wooden/mud tandoor. Usually, the mud tandoor takes much more space and fuel than the modern electronic, but as they say, it adds a smoky taste to the bread. Jamshed, who has a shop in Lajpat Nagar, says that he came here with his grandfather 14yrs before and now runs the shop with his brother. His grandfather's shop was in the main market but was destroyed and thus they started with this new shop 4yrs before.
These bread have now become a common food and locals have developed a good taste. It usually costs around Rs 10/20 and is eaten with meat stew or vegetables.
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