JapaneseYakisobaJapanese stir-fried wheat noodles with chicken, cabbage and carrot in a tangy-sweet sauce. It's a fast one-pan lunch that uses noodles and vegetables you can find in most Pakistani stores.35 min·Serves 3
JapaneseOmuriceKetchup-seasoned chicken rice wrapped in a soft, silky egg omelette. It's a comforting Japanese home-style lunch that comes together in one pan in about 35 minutes.35 min·Serves 2
JapaneseKitsune UdonA warm bowl of thick udon noodles in a light kombu-and-soy broth, topped with sweet simmered tofu pouches. It is gentle, filling and ready in about 30 minutes.35 min·Serves 2
JapaneseTendon Tempura Rice BowlCrisp prawn and vegetable tempura piled over hot rice and brushed with a sweet-savoury soy glaze. It is a filling lunch bowl that makes a little frying go a long way.50 min·Serves 2
JapaneseZaru SobaChilled buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo-style tray with a light dashi dipping sauce. It is a cooling, quick lunch for hot days that needs no oil and very little cooking.30 min·Serves 2
JapaneseChirashi Sushi BowlSeasoned sushi rice topped with seared salmon, prawns, egg ribbons and crisp vegetables. It uses cooked fish only, so it is easy to make at home and makes a colourful lunch.1 h·Serves 4
AmericanChicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic CroutonsJuicy pan-seared chicken over crisp romaine with a creamy garlic-lemon Caesar dressing and golden croutons. A filling lunch that comes together in under an hour.45 min·Serves 4
AmericanChicken Club SandwichA triple-decker of juicy pan-seared chicken, crisp beef bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato with a creamy garlic mayo. Ready in 30 minutes and filling enough for a proper lunch.30 min·Serves 2
AmericanClassic Grilled Cheese SandwichA golden, buttery sandwich with a crisp crust and a molten two-cheese centre. Ready in 15 minutes from pantry basics, it's ideal for a quick lunch.15 min·Serves 2
ItalianCaprese Salad with Balsamic GlazeSliced ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil, dressed simply with olive oil and a sweet balsamic glaze. It takes ten minutes and needs no cooking.25 min·Serves 4
PakistaniKadhi PakoraA tangy, silky yogurt and besan curry simmered slowly and topped with soft onion pakoras and a sizzling cumin-chilli tarka. It's a comforting Punjabi-style lunch to serve with plain rice.1 h 20 min·Serves 6
IndianTomato Tamarind RasamA thin, peppery South Indian soup of tomato, tamarind and lentil water, finished with a sizzling mustard and curry leaf tempering. Quick to make and good with rice or on its own.50 min·Serves 4
IndianRajma MasalaSoft red kidney beans simmered in a thick onion and tomato gravy with warm spices. It's a filling, everyday North Indian lunch that tastes best over steamed rice.1 h 40 min·Serves 6
IndianDal TadkaSoft, creamy yellow lentils simmered with tomato and ginger, then finished with a sizzling garlic, cumin and chilli tempering. Simple, filling and ready in about an hour.1 h 5 min·Serves 4
PakistaniTahiriA 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 DaalSoft 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 MasalaTender 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
PakistaniKarelay PyazA dry-style side dish of crisp-edged bitter gourd rounds cooked with plenty of sweet golden onions, fennel and a sour finish of amchur. Salting first tames the bitterness.1 h 10 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 DaalA 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
PakistaniMatar PulaoA fragrant, one-pot basmati pulao with sweet green peas, golden onions, cumin and whole spices. It's simple enough for a weekday lunch and good with raita.1 h 15 min·Serves 4
Middle EasternChicken Shawarma BowlSpiced grilled chicken thigh over rice and salad with garlic-yogurt sauce. Marinate the night before for the best flavour.55 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
IndianChana MasalaChickpeas in a dark, tangy onion-tomato masala with amchur and garam masala. Pantry cooking at its best.40 min·Serves 4