Maast-o-khiyar
What is Maast-o-khiyar?
Maast-o-khiyar (ماست و خیار) is an Afghan and Persian yogurt and cucumber salad - the cooling, refreshing side dish that appears on Afghan tables everywhere, served cold alongside kabob, rice, and bread to provide a fresh contrast to the warm, rich dishes around it. The name translates literally as "yogurt and cucumber" in Dari and Farsi: thick yogurt, finely diced or grated cucumber, dried mint, a little garlic, and sometimes dried rose petals or walnut, seasoned with salt and served cold.
Maast-o-khiyar is the Afghan equivalent of Greek tzatziki, Persian mast-o-khiar, and Indian raita - all variations on the same sensible idea that a cold, tangy yogurt-and-cucumber preparation is the ideal palate cleanser and cooling agent alongside grilled meat and spiced rice. Each culture arrived at essentially the same dish through the same logic, which is as reliable an argument for a combination as exists in cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is maast-o-khiyar the same as tzatziki?
They are closely related - both are yogurt and cucumber preparations served cold as a condiment or side. The differences are in texture and seasoning: tzatziki uses olive oil and sometimes dill; maast-o-khiyar typically uses dried mint and sometimes dried rose petals. Both are cooling, tangy, and excellent alongside grilled meat.
What is maast-o-khiyar used for?
It is a condiment and side dish - served alongside kabob plates, rice dishes, and bread to provide a cool, refreshing contrast. It also functions as a dipping sauce for bread and flatbread. In Afghan households it appears at virtually every main meal.
Is maast-o-khiyar available at Naan Kabob?
The yogurt and cucumber tradition informs the condiment sauces served at Naan Kabob. Ask your server about available dipping sauces and sides - the garlic yogurt and cucumber-based accompaniments reflect this tradition.
See also: Mast ,Tzatziki ,Raita.
Cool yogurt sauces are part of every Naan Kabob meal - the Afghan tradition of contrast on the plate.
