PakistaniTandoori ChickenBone-in chicken legs marinated overnight in spiced yogurt, then roasted in a hot home oven until charred at the edges and juicy inside. No tandoor needed.1 h 15 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChicken Sajji (Balochi-Style Roast Chicken Stuffed with Spiced Rice)A whole chicken rubbed with garlic, pepper and raw papaya, then roasted with a fragrant rice and raisin stuffing until the skin is deep gold. A showpiece dinner made in a home oven.2 h 15 min·Serves 4
PakistaniTawa ChickenYogurt-marinated chicken thigh seared on a flat tawa, then cooked down with tomatoes, green chilli and ginger into a thick, spicy masala. Good with hot rotis.1 h 10 min·Serves 4
PakistaniReshmi KababSilky, pale golden chicken kababs made with a cashew and cream paste, so they stay tender and juicy. Easy to grill on a pan, in the oven or over charcoal.1 h 5 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChicken Tikka BotiJuicy cubes of boneless chicken marinated in spiced yogurt, skewered and grilled until charred at the edges. A weekend barbecue favourite you can make in a hot oven.4 h 45 min·Serves 4
PakistaniSarson ka Saag (Slow-Cooked Mustard Greens with Ghee Tarka)A thick, deeply savoury Punjabi winter dish of slow-cooked mustard greens and spinach, thickened with cornmeal and finished with a sizzling garlic-ginger ghee tarka. Best with makki ki roti.1 h 25 min·Serves 6
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
PakistaniBeef BiryaniTender yogurt-marinated beef and soft potatoes in a thick masala, layered with long-grain basmati, mint and fried onions, then steamed on dum. A proper family dinner for a weekend.2 h 35 min·Serves 6
PakistaniMutton Biryani with Golden Fried Onions and DumTender bone-in mutton cooked in a yogurt and tomato masala, layered with par-cooked basmati, fried onions and mint, then steamed on dum until fragrant. A proper centrepiece for weekend dinners.3 h·Serves 6
PakistaniSindhi BiryaniA tangy, herb-heavy mutton biryani from Sindh, layered with fried potatoes, dried plums and green chillies. It's spicier and more sour than most biryanis, and it makes a full dinner for a crowd.2 h 45 min·Serves 6
PakistaniBeef Pulao with Browned Onions and Whole SpicesA everyday-style Pakistani pulao where beef is browned with onions and yogurt, then cooked with basmati in its own rich stock. Fragrant, full of flavour and made in one pot.2 h 15 min·Serves 4
PakistaniMutton Yakhni PulaoFragrant basmati rice cooked in a whole-spice mutton stock, with browned onions and tender bone-in meat. A gentle, aromatic pulao for Sunday dinners and guests.2 h 20 min·Serves 6
PakistaniChicken Yakhni PulaoA fragrant one-pot pulao where basmati cooks in a homemade chicken and whole-spice stock. It is milder and more aromatic than biryani, and needs no tomato or heavy masala.1 h 55 min·Serves 5
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
PakistaniMasala Fish CurryFirm fish steaks simmered in a bold onion-tomato masala with cumin, fenugreek and green chillies. It's a quick weeknight curry that goes well with plain rice or roti.55 min·Serves 4
PakistaniLahori Fried FishCrisp, golden pieces of white fish in a spiced gram flour coating, with ajwain, crushed coriander and lemon. It's a Lahore street-style dinner that comes together in under an hour.1 h 3 min·Serves 4
PakistaniLahori Chargha (Steamed and Fried Spiced Chicken)Chicken pieces are marinated in a tangy, spiced yogurt paste, steamed until tender, then fried until deep red and crisp. Juicy inside, crackling outside, and made for sharing.2 h·Serves 4
PakistaniChicken AchariBone-in chicken simmered in a tangy, onion-yogurt gravy flavoured with the whole spices used in pickling. Bold and sharp, it goes well with plain roti or rice.1 h 30 min·Serves 6
PakistaniDum ka Keema (Slow-Steamed Minced Beef with Fried Onions and Herbs)Yogurt-marinated beef mince cooked down until rich, then sealed and steamed on low heat with golden onions, mint and ginger. It is dry, deeply savoury and full of aroma.1 h 20 min·Serves 4
PakistaniShimla Mirch Keema (Spiced Minced Beef with Capsicum)Tender spiced beef mince cooked down with onions and tomatoes, then finished with crisp-tender capsicum for a fresh, green bite. A quick weeknight dinner that goes well with hot rotis.1 h 10 min·Serves 4
PakistaniMatar Keema (Spiced Minced Beef with Green Peas)A dry-style everyday keema where sweet green peas cook into browned, well-spiced beef mince. Quick enough for a weeknight and perfect with hot roti.1 h 5 min·Serves 4
PakistaniAloo Keema (Spiced Minced Beef with Potatoes)A everyday Pakistani dinner of minced beef and soft potato cubes in a thick, spiced tomato-onion masala. It is quick to make and tastes best with hot roti.1 h·Serves 4
PakistaniNargisi Kofta (Egg-Stuffed Meatballs in Yogurt Onion Gravy)Soft boiled eggs wrapped in spiced beef mince, browned, then simmered in a smooth yogurt and fried-onion gravy. It looks impressive on the table and suits Sunday dinners or guests.1 h 30 min·Serves 6
PakistaniKofta Curry (Beef Meatballs in Tomato-Onion Gravy)Tender spiced beef meatballs simmered in a smooth tomato and onion gravy. It is a family dinner staple that is easy to make ahead and tastes even better the next day.1 h 15 min·Serves 6