Diane Sawyer in Afghanistan

Good Morning America anchor Diane Sawyer is reporting from Afghanistan this week. The state of the Afghan nation, the status of women, the ressurgence of the Taliban and the importance of the opium poppy in the Afghan economy were topics that she covered today. But she did a food segment, reporting on her visit to a bakery where she bought and ate some wonderful-looking flatbread baked in a tandoor. She visited a market where she tasted spinach- and potato-stuffed soft bread that resembled large empanadas and meant to be eaten with a red or green dipping sauce, and she drank a beverage made of raisins, almonds, water and other ingredients. She marveled at some young men who were eating raw cucumbers.

Meanwhile, in the New York studio, three GMW personalities also had the opportunity to try the stuffed bread and the raisin drink. They seemed perplexed at the drink (which had "things floating in it") and gingerly tasted the stuffed bread. One asked why was the hot sauce. Diane counseled him to be courageous and try. He tried the hot and didn't seem happy. Then, Robin Roberts asked Diane what she was eating in Afghanistan. Sawyer replied, "Potato chips." I was frankly disappointed and hoped that she, who was so very empathetic, would resort to potato chips -- no matter the reason.

The Good Morning America site include the recipe for the raisin-almond beverage. Recognizing that you kind of have to sing this one, I add it here:

Ab Kishmish (Raisin Drink)

8 oz. golden or dark raisins (almonds optional)
Water
Honey to taste
Rose water to taste

Wash the raisins well. Boil the water and add raisins. Rinse raisins again. Add two cups of hot water, add honey and rosewater to taste. Leave in a cool place or in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. If making with almonds, boil the almonds separately and peel away the skins before adding to the raisins and hot water.

Recipe from Bamiyan Afghani Restaurant