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21 recipes

Two tall glasses of pale pink Doodh Soda with ice and a fizzy foam top, garnished with dried rose petalsPakistani

Doodh Soda

Doodh Soda is a fizzy street-stall favourite made from sweetened cold milk topped with lemon-lime soda. It takes minutes to make and is especially welcome on hot evenings and at iftar.

10 minServes 2
Glasses of sweet and salted lassi garnished with pistachios, malai, roasted cumin and mintPakistani

Lassi (Sweet and Salted)

Thick, cooling Punjabi-style yogurt lassi with two easy versions: a sweet one scented with cardamom and rose, and a salted one with roasted cumin and mint. Ready in ten minutes.

10 minServes 4
Bowl of diced cucumber, tomato and red onion salad with coriander, mint and pomegranate seeds beside lemon halvesPakistani

Kachumber Salad

A cool, crunchy salad of cucumber, tomato and red onion with green chilli, coriander and lemon. It comes together in 15 minutes and sits well beside rice, daal or grilled meat.

17 minServes 4
Bowl of creamy pale green mint raita topped with roasted cumin, chilli powder and fresh mint leavesPakistani

Mint Raita (Pudina Raita with Roasted Cumin)

A cooling, pale green yogurt side with fresh mint, roasted cumin and a little green chilli. Serve it beside biryani, pulao or grilled meat to calm the heat.

12 minServes 4
Chinese

Chicken Fried Rice

Day-old rice stir-fried hot with chicken, egg, peas, carrot and soy. Faster than ordering in.

25 minServes 4
Overhead view of smash burgersAmerican

Smash Burgers

Thin beef patties smashed onto a very hot pan for a lacy, crusted edge, stacked with cheese and pickles in a soft bun.

20 minServes 4
Overhead view of masala omelettePakistani

Masala Omelette

The dhaba-style omelette: eggs beaten with onion, tomato, green chili and coriander, cooked thin and folded.

10 minServes 1
Overhead view of chana chaatPakistani

Chana Chaat

Tangy chickpea salad with potato, onion, tomato and tamarind chutney. The iftar favourite that works any afternoon.

15 minServes 4
Overhead view of fluffy yogurt pancakesAmerican

Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes

Thick, fluffy buttermilk-style pancakes made with yogurt and milk, so there is no need to buy buttermilk.

25 minServes 4
Overhead view of onion & potato pakorasPakistani

Onion & Potato Pakoras

Crisp gram-flour fritters with onion, potato and spinach. Made for rainy afternoons and a cup of chai.

30 minServes 4
Overhead view of doodh patti chaiPakistani

Doodh Patti Chai

Strong black tea brewed straight in milk, the way it is poured at dhabas across Pakistan. Add cardamom if you like.

10 minServes 2
Overhead view of silky hummusMiddle Eastern

Silky Hummus

Very smooth hummus from canned chickpeas, blended with tahini, lemon and ice water.

10 minServes 6
Overhead view of spaghetti aglio e olioItalian

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Spaghetti tossed with garlic gently fried in olive oil, chili flakes and parsley. Five ingredients, fifteen minutes.

17 minServes 2
Overhead view of mango lassiIndian

Mango Lassi

Ripe mango blended with yogurt, milk and a pinch of cardamom. Best in season with Chaunsa or Sindhri mangoes.

5 minServes 2
Overhead view of creamy mushroom penneItalian

Creamy Mushroom Penne

Penne in a garlicky mushroom cream sauce with parmesan and black pepper. On the table in half an hour.

30 minServes 4
Overhead view of greek saladGreek

Greek Salad

Chunky tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and a block of feta, dressed with olive oil and oregano.

15 minServes 4