Trois Experiences: Trying To Eat Vegetarian In Meat-Loving Restaurants

Experience #1: Khyber Pass Afghan Restaurant

by Natasha Henderson, Montreal

In recent months, I have been working on becoming 95% vegetarian. When I tell people that I have a Once-A-Week-Meat-Eat, they usually laugh and say ÔÇ£then youÔÇÖre not a vegetarian!ÔÇØ. That is true. I am not a full vegetarian. However, I am aware that there are many, many positive things about being mindful of what one eats. I think it is necessary to understand that if you buy a typical ÔÇ£steakÔÇØ, this piece of a cow will have been born, raised, slaughtered, and chopped up in the factory-farming system. I would prefer to not support that system. So, I am trying to be more vegetarian both at home and in restaurants.

I recently enjoyed a trip to an Afghan restaurant in Montreal.?áThe Khyber Pass is a medium-sized restaurant, decorated to feel cozy with richly embroidered and decorated tapestries and textiles on the walls and ceilings. For a textile-loving-girl such as myself, this was a wonderful distraction. However, once the food was served, attention shifted from the surroundings to the table.

The meal began with little flat squares of Afghan bread, served warm in a basket. Dipping sauces accompanied them. The sauces were delicious, and varied greatly in flavour, colour, texture, and spice. This all went well with our wine my group of six people all brought our own wines. The corking service is a delightful advantage of many restaurants in Montreal.

I had walked by the Khyber Pass several times before, usually stopping to read the menu posted outside. Cauliflower, yogurt, eggplant all looked delicious to me. Of course I also saw lots and lots of lamb. When my friends and I were settled inside, I mentioned what Id seen on the menu, and my own assumptions about Afghan cooking (lots of lamb). Fortunately, our waiter overheard me, and corrected me. In Afghanistan, lamb is only cooked for celebrations. Here, Canada, every DAY is a celebration. His explanation clarified why most every dish on the menu featured lamb. All my friends ordered various lamb dishes (I heard that it was divine.) I went Veggie.

My order: Red Lentil and Fresh Coriander soup, Fried Eggplant with Yogurt appetizer, Veggie Combo main dish (eggplant, cauliflower, spinach, okra, and?áthree types of Basmati rice),?ádessert was a delightful Rosewater with Pistachio pudding.

The soup was a tangy and pleasantly warm beginning, what one would expect from a spiced lentil soup. Not ÔÇ£remarkableÔÇØ, but for the warm-up dish, whoÔÇÖd want that? It was similar to soups I make at home. Perfectly fine.

I had the fortune of dining with friends who were so kind as to share their appetizers. Once Id bitten into it, I realised that my pals dumpling actually was filled with (a very tasty) meat. Well, I recommend it for someone who likes their meat, and is looking for something filling and satisfying. They reminded me of my Moms won-tons that shed make at Christmas. Deep-fried triangle pockets, filled with hashed meats and diced onions delicious indeed. I wouldnt order them, personally, because on a Once-A-Week-Meat-Eat diet it would, perhaps, be a little disappointing.

Another wonderful appetizer that was fortunately shared was the spicy Pumpkin Borani. This was a stewed pumpkin, softly mashed, baked in a small casserole. Served with yogurt and tomatoes, it felt warm and stick-to-your-ribs, full of both vitamins and comfort. The subtle taste of pumpkin was allowed to glow forth in this wonderful dish, I would eat it every day if I could.

As for the main plate, my friends didnÔÇÖt offer forth any of their lamb. Granted, I didnÔÇÖt ask to try any of it, but I think they knew it would be good. There certainly were no complaints! I found my gently flavoured Basmati rice to be divine, the spinach and yogurt and eggplant were all very rich yet homey-tasting. I could feel the vitamins and nutrients concurrently providing energy and flavourful pleasures. Pure and healthy comfort-food.

Everything that I ordered this day, I would order again. Next time, though, I must have some of the Pumpkin Borani, perhaps two or three of them!

Natasha will continue her voyage into Vegetarian Cuisine in Non-Vegetarian Restaurants next week, with a visit to the Bistro Sur la Riviere…