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127 recipes

A plate of golden-orange jalebi spirals glistening with saffron syrup and topped with chopped pistachiosPakistani

Jalebi

Crisp, golden spirals of fermented batter soaked in warm saffron-cardamom syrup. Plan on a few hours of batter resting, then about half an hour of frying and dipping.

3 h 55 minServes 6
Glossy golden almond halwa in a brass dish garnished with pistachios, flaked almonds and saffronPakistani

Badam Halwa

A rich, glossy almond halwa made from freshly ground blanched almonds, milk, ghee and saffron. It suits Eid tables, dinner parties and winter evenings.

1 hServes 6
Square pieces of creamy kalakand topped with sliced pistachios on a white platePakistani

Kalakand

Soft, slightly grainy milk cake made from fresh homemade chenna and condensed milk, scented with cardamom and topped with pistachios. A simple mithai for Eid, weddings or a sweet craving.

1 hServes 12
Golden besan ladoos topped with pistachio slivers on a brass platePakistani

Besan Ladoo

Round gram flour sweets made by slowly roasting besan in ghee until nutty and golden, then shaping with sugar and cardamom. A classic for Eid, weddings and tea-time gifting.

40 minServes 12
Glass bowl of custard trifle with layers of sponge, fruit, red jelly and custard under whipped cream and nutsPakistani

Custard Trifle

A chilled dessert of vanilla sponge, fruit, set jelly, thick homemade custard and whipped cream. It's a favourite for Eid tables, dawat dinners and birthdays, and you make it ahead.

50 minServes 8
Glass bowl of Lab-e-Shireen with custard, red jelly cubes, mixed fruit, pistachios and pomegranate seedsPakistani

Lab-e-Shireen

A chilled Pakistani dessert of vanilla custard, cream, soft vermicelli, red jelly cubes and fresh fruit, finished with almonds and pistachios. It suits Eid tables and dinner parties.

55 minServes 8
Tall glasses of pink falooda layered with vermicelli, basil seeds and jelly, topped with ice cream and nutsPakistani

Falooda

A tall, chilled rose-milk dessert drink layered with vermicelli, basil seeds, jelly and ice cream. Serve it at iftar parties, summer gatherings or whenever a cold treat is wanted.

35 minServes 4
Sliced malai kulfi topped with pistachios and saffron on a copper platePakistani

Malai Kulfi

Dense, creamy frozen dessert made by slowly reducing milk with cardamom, pistachios and almonds. It needs no ice cream machine and sets in simple moulds.

1 h 15 minServes 6
Golden fried bread triangles topped with thick saffron milk and sliced pistachios in a white dishPakistani

Shahi Tukray

Golden fried bread slices soaked in saffron-cardamom syrup and topped with thickened sweet rabri-style milk and pistachios. A rich dessert for Eid, dawats and weddings.

1 h 15 minServes 8
Terracotta bowls of chilled firni topped with pistachios, almonds and saffronPakistani

Firni

A silky, chilled milk pudding thickened with coarsely ground basmati rice and scented with cardamom and kewra. It sets softly in small bowls and suits Eid tables and dinner parties.

1 h 40 minServes 6
A serving dish of golden zarda sweet rice topped with sliced pistachios, almonds and raisinsPakistani

Zarda

Zarda is a golden sweet rice scented with cardamom and kewra, layered with sugar, ghee, nuts and raisins, then steamed on dum. A festive dessert for weddings, Eid and special dinners.

1 h 20 minServes 6
Bowl of sheer khurma with vermicelli, dates and sliced nuts, garnished with pistachios and saffronPakistani

Sheer Khurma

A rich Eid-morning milk dessert of toasted vermicelli, dates and nuts, simmered in reduced milk with cardamom and saffron. Serve it warm or chilled.

55 minServes 6
Bowl of golden gulab jamun in cardamom syrup topped with sliced pistachiosPakistani

Gulab Jamun

Soft, golden milk-powder dumplings fried gently and soaked in cardamom-rose sugar syrup. A classic sweet for Eid, weddings and dinner parties, made with pantry ingredients.

1 hServes 8
Soft white rasmalai discs in saffron milk topped with sliced pistachios in a white dishPakistani

Rasmalai

Soft, spongy discs of fresh milk cheese simmered in light syrup, then soaked in chilled saffron-cardamom milk. A showpiece dessert for Eid and dawats that is made a day ahead.

1 h 30 minServes 6
Golden semolina halwa garnished with almonds and pistachios in a small brass panPakistani

Suji ka Halwa

A soft, glossy semolina halwa roasted in ghee and set with sugar syrup, cardamom and nuts. Quick enough for a weekday sweet craving, and a staple of Pakistani celebrations and Friday mornings.

35 minServes 6
Mutton chops in thick red-brown masala with ginger, green chillies and coriander in a karahiPakistani

Mutton Chops Masala

Mutton chops are marinated, pressure-cooked until soft, then finished in a thick, glossy masala that clings to the bone. A good Sunday dinner with naan or rice.

1 h 55 minServes 5
Stack of freshly cooked butter-brushed naan topped with nigella and sesame seeds on a wooden boardPakistani

Tawa Naan

Soft, bubbly naan made with yogurt and milk, cooked on a hot tawa or in the oven. A dependable flatbread for karahi, daal and kababs, no tandoor needed.

1 h 50 minServes 6
Bowl of golden chicken corn soup with shredded chicken, corn kernels, egg ribbons and spring onionPakistani

Chicken Corn Soup

A thick, gently peppery soup of shredded chicken, sweet corn and silky egg ribbons, in the style of Pakistani Chinese restaurants. Easy to make at home on a cold evening.

55 minServes 4
Stack of freshly baked kulcha breads with sesame and nigella seeds on a wooden boardPakistani

Kulcha

Soft, fluffy round breads made with yogurt and milk, topped with nigella and sesame and brushed with butter. They bake in a hot home oven and go well with chanay, daal or any curry.

1 h 40 minServes 6
A dish of Dahi Baray with lentil fritters in yogurt, tamarind chutney, spices and pomegranate seedsPakistani

Dahi Baray

Soft, pillowy lentil dumplings soaked in whisked yogurt and topped with sweet-sour tamarind chutney and chaat masala. A cool, tangy snack for iftar or a gathering.

1 h 10 minServes 6
A bowl of golden yellow kadhi with soft pakoras, red chilli tarka and fresh coriander, served with white ricePakistani

Kadhi Pakora

A 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 minServes 6
Bowl of spicy chicken macaroni with capsicum, carrot and fresh coriander on a wooden tablePakistani

Chicken Macaroni

Tender chicken and macaroni tossed in a spicy tomato masala with capsicum, black pepper and lemon. A quick, filling family dinner with a Pakistani flavour.

45 minServes 4
Golden roasted chicken pieces on a tray with onion gravy, green chillies and lemon wedgesPakistani

Chicken Steam Roast

Chicken pieces are marinated in spiced yogurt, steamed over sliced onions until tender, then roasted with butter until browned at the edges. The result is juicy meat and a small pot of onion gravy on the side.

1 h 25 minServes 4
A karahi of Pakistani kaleji masala with liver cubes in thick masala, garnished with ginger, green chilli and corianderPakistani

Kaleji Masala

Tender cubes of goat liver cooked quickly in a thick onion-tomato masala and finished with fresh ginger, green chilli and lemon. Ready in under an hour and lovely with hot roti.

55 minServes 4