Despite our love-hate relationship with our neighbour, Pakistan, there’s no ignoring the connecting thread between the two nations. It comes as no surprise that Pakistani cuisine is an absolute treat to our taste buds.
Where there has been considerable innovations and borrowing of flavours from either side of the border, on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day, here is a list of authentic dishes which are favourites in Pakistan.
1. Chicken Karahi
Chicken karahi also known as gosht karahi (when prepared with goat or lamb meat instead of chicken) and kadai chicken is a Pakistani dish noted for its spicy taste and usage of capsicum . This sumptuous gravy enjoyed best with naans or rotis will leave you craving for more.
2. Mutanjan
Mutanjan is a Pakistani variety of Zarda, a traditional South Asian sweet dish, made by boiling rice with food coloring, milk and sugar, and flavoured with cardamoms, raisins, saffron, pistachios or almonds. This fantastic innovation is a favourite at weddings and other such functions.
3. Aaloo Bukhary Ki Chutney
A Pakistani favourite, this innovative chutney recipe, aloo bukhare or plum ki chutney with chopped plum or aloo bukhara blended with sugar, salt, and other spices is an amazing accompaniment to meals or snacks.
Source: miansari66.blogspot.in
4. Dum Pukht
Dum pukht or slow oven cooking is a cooking technique, in which meat and vegetables are cooked over a very low flame, generally in sealed containers. Oozing with flavour, this savoury dish is bound to leave you satiated.
Source: priyasfoodsafari.blogspot.in
5. Nihari
Nihari is a Pakistani stew consisting of slow-cooked stew or stew along with stew , garnished to taste and occasionally served with cooked stew . This melt-in-the-mouth mutton curry can be your source for instant happiness.
6. Shahi Tukda
This unique dessert is an absolute treat to the taste buds. Simple and easy to prepare, it has a distinct flavour of saffron and cardamom, and tastes delicious whether warm or chilled.
7. Chargha
Chargha is a Lahori whole cooked chicken. It is a nicely marinated chicken roasted and cooked on flaming coal. A whole chicken roasted to perfection is what dreams are made of!
8. Paya
Mutton Paya, or gravied goat trotters, is very popular in Lahore. Onion, tomato and aromatic spices create a symphony that will leave you craving for more.
Source: www.spicytasty.com
9. Chapli Kabab
Chapli kabab, also known as Peshawari Kabab, is a favourite amongst natives. The dish is prepared with simple spices and ingredients and it best complimented with raita, salad and hot naans.
10. Gushtaba
A dish made of minced mutton balls cooked in curd and spices, melt-in-your-mouth Gushtaba is sinfully delightful.
However, while we’re sitting here salivating over these delectable spreads, what is most disturbing is that there are thousands on either sides of the border who are left starving.
This Independence Day, we have joined the Robin Hood Army and Uber to launch #Mission100k. #Mission100k is a war which Indian and Pakistani students are fighting together against hunger. The campaign aims to unite students to rally together and serve food to 100,000 homeless countrymen on both sides of the border.If you would like to play your role, here’s how you can do it: www.robinhoodarmy.com/mission100k/
There are 300 million hungry people in India and Pakistan; if you can’t feed them all – let’s start with one.
