Archives:

Main Dishes

Crispy Fried Masala Fish

This recipe has been passed down for generations in my paternal family and was taught to me by an aunt in Narowal, Pakistan.…

Desserts

Semolina/Sooji Halwa

(Semolina and flour dessert) This is mostly made for larger gatherings in the Winter months and also as a give away dessert at religious gatherings. …

Drinks

Kashmiri Chai (Pink Tea)

Kashmiri (the original leaves originate in Kashmiri) or Gulabi (Pink) Chai (Tea) is a savoured delicacy and the process to get the correct pink coloured milky liquid into a…

Main Dishes/ Starters

Bhuna Chicken 95

I saw this recipe from Masala hut online, made it once loved it and then adjusted it to our tastebuds, hence the name change to Bhuna Chicken 95 –…

Main Dishes

Chicken/Kuku Pilao

Pilao/Pilaf/Pilaff you spell it how you like! This is a dish of rice and meat, it is milder than a biryani, but with an unusualy aroma of spices.  Pilaos…

Main Dishes

Nihari

Nihari was a dish created for kings, nawabs and emperors but also served in huge vats to the workers in eras gone by. Rich in meat content, light on…

Starters

Nathiagali Taj Hotel Chicken

Those of you that have been to Nathiagali, Muree will have missed out, if you didn’t eat the fried chillie chicken and mash ki daal at the famous Taj…

Main Dishes

Methi Daal (Fenugreek and red lentils)

For this recipe you will either already be used to and enjoy eating  cooked bitter sweet fenugreek leaves or you will need to acquire a taste for it. Bear…

Main Dishes

Special Kofta (Meatball) Curry

We have been making Kofta (Meatball) curries from the time of the Mughal empire in India, recipes have been evolving over time and there is always a new one around the…

Snacks

Namak Paray (Popat)

When we were growing up in Kenya, our mothers took pride in feeding us and our guests homemade snacks.  Popat as my mum called these, were one of the…

Main Dishes

Razia’s Bhuna Chicken

Bhun is a Pakistani cooking technique in which ingredients are fried until the oils separates.  Onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and spices are fried in hot oil, until they have formed…

Desserts

Nankhatai

This tea-time snack is a cross between a crumbly biscuit/cookie and cake, a good nankhatai is one that crumbles on the tongue, sweet but not too sweet.  This recipe…

Main Dishes

Jalfrezi Chicken

This is a dish with a mix of tastes, I would describe it as Chinese leaning towards the Pakistani palate.  It is quite ‘hot’ in chillies, so feel free…

Main Dishes

Chicken Karahi traditional

This is a specialist dish, very popular in Pakistan and the best recipes are found in roadside shacks! There are many versions of this dish; this one is…

Breads

Naans

Naan making is like making bread, the right dough will produce soft and pliable naans and the more often you make them, the better they get!…

Main Dishes

Chicken Karahi dhaba style

This version of Karahi chicken is mostly made at roadside shacks (dhaba) in Pakistan and it is truly yummy!…

Breads

Plain puris

Puris are made with unleavened flour and there is an art to get them right. The best puris I have ever had were made for us in Nakuru…

Starters

Salt Meat

This recipe was given to me by a lady from Northern Pakistan, I ran into her at one of the Heathrow hotels, we got talking about food and cooking…

Starters

Cauliflower kebabs

Par-boiled cauliflower florets coated with mince. An innovative recipe shared by a friend’s lovely mum who was a very experienced cook.…

Main Dishes

Fish Maryam Masala

This is a recipe that has been in our family in Pakistan and Kenya for quite sometime and has evolved over the years. This is a straightforward version…

Breads

Plain Parathas

These are made with plain unleavened flour and fried in butter and or oil.…

Rice

Plain boiled rice 1

Plain rice is a perfect accompaniment for curry dishes and some meat and vegetable dishes e.g Chicken curry, Lamb or Chicken with potatoes, Lamb and Chicken with spinach etc…

Rice

Plain boiled rice 2

This method to cook rice uses a ‘measure’ of water and maybe more suitable for beginners.…

Starters

Papri Chaat

This is a lovely refreshing chaat that binds unusual ingredients together with yoghurt and tamarind.…

Main Dishes

Fish Fried Ichra style

This is the recipe for a very popular street fried fish from Ichra Bazaar in Lahore, Pakistan. I spoke to the street vendor about sharing his secret recipe…

Main Dishes

Special Dhal

I had this for the first time in USA March 2010 where a young girl called Nida had helped lay the table in readiness for a special meal prepared…

Rice

Plain Pilao Rice

Pilao rice is a good accompaniment for vegetarian dishes e.g spinach and potato, aubergine and potato, cauliflower and potato.…

Starters

Chops with Tomato puree

This dish can be served as a starter or as a main with naan bread or French bread.…

Main Dishes

Muthi Kebabs with gravy

This is a recipe that just happened! I made some fist shaped kebabs as a starter, they were not very popular with those that ate them and I…

Rice

Pilao with Whole chicken

We have a feast every Ramadan at my friend’s house, this year she made this lovely whole chicken pilao and when the dish arrived at the table, it made…

Main Dishes

Leg of Lamb Roast

Contrary to popular belief, we do Roasts including Leg of Lamb. As we enjoy the flavour of spices and garlic, we include these in our roasts. Here…

Desserts

Gajarela (carrot and rice pudding)

This is a frequently made dessert in Indian and Pakistani homes and it is difficult to estimate ingredients. My sister-in-law who lives in Milpitas has worked out the…

Main Dishes

Lamb Tawa

This is a special Pakistani Restaurant and Roadside dish cooked on an Iron griddle or frying pan to impart special flavours.…

Desserts

Gajeri Zarda

My mum entered this dish in a food competition in London and although it didnt win any prizes - it looked very presentable!…

Desserts

Habshi Halwa

This is a newly discovered recipe of a delicious mithai. Once again my mum from USA sent it to me.…

Main Dishes

Masoor Whole

A traditional way of making whole masoor the Narowalian way - Pakistan. It can be served as a soup with French bread.…

Desserts

Kulfi

For those that love Kulfi and find it difficult to make, here is a simple and straightforward recipe from my sister-in-law in USA.…

Main Dishes

Okra Masala

This is a very simple Okra recipe suitable for vegetarians.…

Desserts

Mango Ice-cream

I came across a sweet potato ice-cream recipe from Thailand; I substituted with Mango as the fruit is far more familiar and popular with family and guests. …

Main Dishes

Potato and Cauliflower

This is a common dish in Indian and Pakistani households, my version has a tarka at the end that makes it different and produces a wonderful aroma.…

Main Dishes

Chicken Pickle Roast

Another recipe from my Wembley cousin, she took one of our old recipes and made it into a new innovative roast.…

Accompaniments

Dried Plum Chutney

This is called alu bukhara (dry plums) chutney in Pakistan and made at weddings on a large scale. I learnt this from my husband’s 75 year old uncle,…

Main Dishes

Chicken/Lamb Curry

I would have to begin with the most popular curry in the UK. This is a standard recipe but how it turns out will depend on the authenticity…

Accompaniments

Tamarind Chutney

As with a majority of recipes on this website, there is more than one way of making this chutney. This is a recipe from my sister-in-law in Pakistan…

Main Dishes

Chicken Korma

Although in the UK, a korma is a ‘timid’ curry and for those that don’t like hot and spicy food, a korma prepared by a Pakistani or Indian will…

Accompaniments

Yoghurt Chutney

An easy to make chutney which is perfect to serve with, starters, snacks and bbqs.…