PakistaniShikanjvi (Pakistani Lemon Drink with Roasted Cumin, Mint and Black Salt)A cooling, tangy-sweet lemonade spiced with roasted cumin, black salt and fresh mint. It takes ten minutes to make and is the drink to reach for on a hot afternoon or at iftar.15 min·Serves 4
PakistaniDaal Shorba (Smooth Red Lentil Soup with Ginger, Cumin and Lemon)A thin, silky soup of red and yellow lentils blended with ginger, tomato and carrot, then finished with a sizzling cumin and garlic ghee. Good on a cold evening with bread on the side.55 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChapatiSoft, thin whole wheat flatbreads cooked on a tawa until they puff and show light brown spots. Make them fresh to scoop up daal, sabzi and curries at dinner.50 min·Serves 4
PakistaniImli Chutney (Sweet and Tangy Tamarind Chutney with Roasted Cumin and Saunf)A glossy, sweet-sour tamarind chutney sweetened with jaggery and lifted with roasted cumin, fennel and black salt. Keep a jar ready for samosas, chaat and pakoras.35 min·Serves 10
PakistaniMix Sabzi (Pakistani Mixed Vegetable Curry)An everyday mixed vegetable curry with potato, carrot, beans, cauliflower and peas in a soft onion-tomato masala. Simple to make with ordinary vegetables, and it goes well with roti.1 h 5 min·Serves 4
PakistaniTahiri (Turmeric Potato and Pea Rice)A one-pot vegetarian rice dish of golden basmati cooked with potatoes, peas and whole spices. It is simple, filling and ready in under an hour, ideal for an easy weekday lunch.56 min·Serves 4
PakistaniLauki Chana Daal (Bottle Gourd and Split Chickpea Curry)Soft cubes of bottle gourd simmered with split chickpeas in a light ginger-tomato masala, finished with a sizzling cumin and red chilli ghee tarka. A gentle, filling weekday lunch.1 h 25 min·Serves 4
PakistaniTinday Masala (Apple Gourd in Onion-Tomato Masala)Tender apple gourds simmered in a thick onion-tomato masala with cumin, coriander and green chilli. A simple everyday sabzi that goes well with hot roti.55 min·Serves 4
PakistaniBaingan Bharta (Smoky Roasted Aubergine with Onion, Tomato and Green Chilli)Aubergines are charred over an open flame until smoky and silky, then cooked down with onion, tomato and ground spices. It is a simple side for roti or rice that needs very few ingredients.50 min·Serves 4
PakistaniAloo Gobi (Dry-Style Potato and Cauliflower Masala)A dry, gently spiced curry of potato and cauliflower with cumin, turmeric and fresh ginger. Easy to make in one pan and good with hot roti for a weekday lunch.45 min·Serves 4
PakistaniAloo Palak (Potato and Spinach Curry with Cumin and Ginger)Tender potatoes simmered in a smooth spinach and onion-tomato masala, finished with garam masala and lemon. A simple everyday sabzi that is ready in under an hour and suits roti or rice.55 min·Serves 4
PakistaniMash ki Daal (Split Black Gram with Ginger and Garlic Ghee Tarka)A thick, creamy daal of split black gram simmered with ginger and a light onion-tomato masala, then topped with sizzling garlic and cumin ghee. Rich, filling and good with roti or rice.1 h 15 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChana Daal with Onion-Tomato Masala and Garlic TarkaSplit chickpeas simmered until tender but still whole, then folded into a golden onion-tomato masala and finished with a sizzling garlic and cumin tarka. A hearty everyday lunch for rice or roti.1 h 30 min·Serves 4
PakistaniMoong Daal (Split Yellow Lentils with Garlic Tarka)A soft, gently spiced pot of split yellow moong lentils finished with a sizzling garlic and cumin tarka. Light, quick and easy to digest-friendly cooking for everyday lunches with rice or roti.45 min·Serves 4
PakistaniKhichdi with GheeA soft, comforting one-pot of rice and yellow moong daal, cooked with cumin, ginger and onion and finished with a sizzling ghee tarka. It's an easy, budget-friendly dinner for a quiet night.1 h·Serves 4
PakistaniChana Pulao (Chickpea Pulao with Whole Spices and Fried Onions)A one-pot rice dish of tender chickpeas and basmati, cooked in the chickpea broth with browned onions, yogurt and whole spices. Filling, meat-free and good for a weekday lunch.1 h 55 min·Serves 4
PakistaniAloo Anday (Potato and Boiled Egg Curry with Cumin and Green Chilli)Tender potatoes and turmeric-crisped boiled eggs in a light, cumin-scented tomato gravy. It is a budget-friendly lunch that comes together with pantry staples and goes well with roti or rice.1 h·Serves 4
PakistaniAnda Curry (Pakistani Egg Curry in Onion-Tomato Masala)Hard-boiled eggs simmered in a thick, glossy onion-tomato masala with whole spices. It is an easy, budget-friendly dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes and suits roti or rice.45 min·Serves 4
PakistaniMasoor Daal with TarkaRed lentils simmered until silky, then finished with a sizzling tarka of cumin, garlic and dried chilies. Weeknight comfort for very little money.35 min·Serves 4
PakistaniOnion & Potato PakorasCrisp gram-flour fritters with onion, potato and spinach. Made for rainy afternoons and a cup of chai.30 min·Serves 4
IndianChana MasalaChickpeas in a dark, tangy onion-tomato masala with amchur and garam masala. Pantry cooking at its best.40 min·Serves 4
ItalianSpaghetti Aglio e OlioSpaghetti tossed with garlic gently fried in olive oil, chili flakes and parsley. Five ingredients, fifteen minutes.17 min·Serves 2