Afghan Kolcha Nowrozi or Kolcha E Berenji (Rice Cookies):A flaky, sweet pastry popular during Nowruz, filled with nuts and spices, symbolizing hope and renewal.

Afghan Kolcheh Nowrozi is a traditional pastry popular during Nowruz, the Afghan New Year. It features a flaky texture and sweet taste, making it a delightful treat. The dough is made with flour, sugar, butter, and yogurt, while the filling includes almonds, pistachios, walnuts, sugar, cardamom, and rose water. Its cultural significance and festive appeal make it a beloved dish among Afghan cuisine enthusiasts, symbolizing hope, renewal, and prosperity.

Here's a recipe for Kolcheh Nowrozi, delicious Persian New Year cookies:

Ingredients:

1- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2- 1 cup confectioners' sugar

3- 2 egg yolks

4- 2 cups all-purpose flour

5- 1 teaspoon baking powder

6- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

7- 1 teaspoon rosewater

8- 1/4 cup slivered pistachios for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

  - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (Butter).

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:

 - In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and confectioners' sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

3. Add Egg Yolks:

 - Add the egg yolks to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined.

4. Sift Dry Ingredients:

 - In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ground cardamom.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

 - Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft, pliable dough forms.

6. Flavor with Rosewater:

 - Add the rosewater to the dough and knead it until the fragrance is evenly distributed. Rosewater is a key flavor in Kolcheh Nowrozi and imparts a unique floral aroma.

7. Shape the Cookies:

 - Take small portions of the dough and shape them into small rounds or crescents. You can use your hands or shape them using cookie cutters for more decorative shapes.

8. Garnish with Pistachios:

 - If desired, press slivered pistachios onto the tops of the cookies for a traditional garnish.

9. Bake:

 - Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

10. Cool and Serve:

   - Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. These cookies are delicate when hot but will firm up as they cool.

11. Enjoy:

   - Your Kolcheh Nowrozi cookies are ready to be enjoyed! These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of Persian tea or coffee, and they make a perfect addition to your Nowruz celebration.

Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. Kolcheh Nowrozi cookies are not only delicious but also a symbol of renewal and joy during Nowruz, so share them with your loved ones to spread the festive spirit.

Nutritional Values:

Here's an approximate nutritional breakdown for the main ingredients in the Kolcheh Nowrozi recipe, based on standard measurements:

1. Unsalted Butter (1 cup):

• Calories: 1628 kcal
• Fat: 184g
• Saturated Fat: 116g
• Cholesterol: 488mg
• Sodium: 23mg
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 2g

benefits: Provides fat for tenderness and flavor.

2. Confectioners' Sugar (1 cup):

• Calories: 384 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 99g
• Sugars: 97g
• Protein: 0g

benefits: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.

3. Egg Yolks (2 yolks):

• Calories: 108 kcal
• Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 370mg
• Sodium: 24mg
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 5g

benefits: Add richness, color, and help bind the ingredients together.

4. All-Purpose Flour (2 cups):

• Calories: 912 kcal
• Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 190g
• Protein: 26g

benefits: Provides structure and helps the pastry hold its shape.

5. Baking Powder (1 teaspoon):

• Calories: 2 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 493mg
• Carbohydrates: 1g

benefits: Acts as a leavening agent to help the pastry rise.

6. Ground Cardamom (1/2 teaspoon):

• Calories: 3 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 1mg
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0.4g

benefits: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the pastry.

7. Rosewater (1 teaspoon):

• Calories: 0 kcal
•  Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Carbohydrates: 0g

benefits: Adds a floral aroma and flavor to enhance the pastry's taste.

8. Slivered Pistachios (1/4 cup, for garnish):

• Calories: 170 kcal
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Protein: 7g

benefits: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, as well as visual appeal as a garnish (optional).

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific brands and exact measurements used. Additionally, the serving size of the cookies will affect the final nutrit