No festivity is complete at a Pakistani household without meaty gravies, spicy kebabs and rich rice dishes. This Pakistan Independence Day, the Gulf News Food Team is bringing you a list of recipes and guides that you need to try out to have an authentic Pakistani-style culinary experience.
This list of Pakistani dishes will give you the taste of different parts of the South Asian country, varying in cooking styles, culinary heritage and spice levels. Here are our picks…
It is a dish that has been the centre of plenty of feasts and evokes childhood memories for many. A hefty pot of pulao definitely comes to mind when thinking of Pakistani food. This mutton pulao recipe is for those who want a low spice option, which does not compromise on taste.
Tangy, aromatic and meaty – a perfect plate of biryani is difficult to beat. This dish will satisfy your cravings for spicy food and definitely leave you reaching for an ice-cold soda bottle. Try out this step-by-step recipe.
Another dish for those who love their spice and meat. Bihari kababs are usually eaten at roadside eateries across Pakistan, especially in the southern city of Karachi. This recipe pairs great with parathas and is sure to impress any guest.
Pair a plate of hot salan (meat curry) with freshly made milky and sweet sheermal bread and you have a winning pair. This soft round bread, mildly sweetened with scents of rose water and saffron is known for its iconic holes made with a metal fork-like tool. Here's a recipe you can recreate at home...
Cool down this summer with this creamy and fizzy delight. Doodh soda or pakola doodh, which translates to carbonated milk, is most popular in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where it originates. This drink usually combines soda, milk and sugar. Here’s how to make it…
Here’s how to start your day like a true Pakistani. This flakey paratha guide will fulfil your taste buds right in the morning. Try out the potato filled version for a hearty meal and virtually transport into Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province’s farmlands.
If you are looking for a crispy snack or an appetiser to impress your dinner guests, this kurkuri (crispy) bhindi (ladies fingers) is the dish for you. While Pakistani cuisine is known to be meat heavy, this vegetarian option is equally as satisfying as any meat-based starter.
Would you believe it if I said noodles and coconut milk are the base of this quintessential Pakistani dish? Khausa, which finds its roots in the Burmese dish Khao Suey, is a favourite from the Memon community of South Asia. This spicy, soupy dish often topped with crispy fried dough or even readymade potato chips, ticks all the boxes in terms of taste and texture.
Transport yourself to the bustling streets of Karachi with this street food favourite - bun kebab. If the mighty bun kebab wasn’t enough on its own, this recipe features a double patty recipe.
Moving northeast from Karachi, experience Lahore’s Fort Road Food Street, which is famous for its delicacies. This crispy, battered fish is a symbol of Lahori cuisine. A chef from the ancient city shared her recipe with Gulf News Food section's readers to give them a taste of her home.
Here’s something for every meat lovers’ delight. This lamb dish comes from Pakistan’s south-western province of Balochistan and highlights the diversity in Pakistani cuisine. This aromatic, meaty dish is typically made on large skewers in a tandoor oven, here’s a version that can be easily made in your home kitchen.
There’s nothing more blissful to a hungry person than the first bite of sizzling chicken karahi with hot naan (flatbread). Whether it’s at your favourite Pakistani restaurant or at a Friday night dinner at home, karahi is eaten at all occasions. Here’s a recipe you can recreate at home…
If you try out any of these recipes and guides, do give us feedback, email us on food@gulfnews.com
