FusionChicken ManchurianCrisp fried chicken pieces tossed in a glossy garlic, soy and chilli sauce with onion and capsicum. It's a popular Indo-Chinese dinner that goes well with fried rice or noodles.55 min·Serves 4
IndianMalabar Prawn CurryA tangy, gently spicy prawn curry from the Kerala coast, built on coconut milk, tamarind and a mustard and curry leaf tempering. It's ready in under an hour and goes well with plain rice.50 min·Serves 4
IndianKerala Fish MoileeA mild, creamy Kerala fish curry where firm white fish gently poaches in coconut milk with ginger, green chillies and turmeric. Quick to make and lovely with plain rice or appam.40 min·Serves 4
IndianGoan Fish CurryA tangy, coconut-based fish curry with red chillies, tamarind and a gentle heat. It comes together in under 40 minutes and is best with steamed rice.40 min·Serves 4
IndianLaal MaasA fiery, deep red Rajasthani mutton curry built on dried red chillies, garlic and ghee. The meat turns tender and glossy, and the gravy is rich rather than heavy.2 h 30 min·Serves 6
IndianKashmiri YakhniTender mutton simmered in a pale, silky yogurt gravy scented with fennel, dry ginger and cardamom. It is mild, aromatic and made without turmeric or chilli.1 h 40 min·Serves 4
IndianKashmiri Rogan JoshA deep red lamb curry from Kashmir, slow-cooked in yogurt, fennel and ginger with mild Kashmiri chilli. It is rich but not fiery, and perfect for a weekend dinner.2 h·Serves 6
IndianLucknowi Mutton BiryaniA fragrant Awadhi-style biryani of tender bone-in mutton and long basmati rice, gently spiced and finished with saffron, kewra and fried onions, then sealed and steamed on dum.2 h 30 min·Serves 6
IndianHyderabadi Chicken BiryaniBone-in chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, layered with par-boiled basmati, fried onions, herbs and saffron, then sealed and cooked on dum. Best made for a weekend table; allow 2 hours for marinating.2 h·Serves 6
IndianKerala Chicken Stew with Coconut Milk and Whole SpicesA pale, gently spiced chicken and vegetable stew simmered in coconut milk with whole spices and green chillies. Mild, fragrant and comforting with appam, paratha or plain bread.1 h·Serves 4
IndianChicken ChettinadA South Indian chicken curry built on freshly roasted and ground black pepper, fennel, coriander and dried red chillies, finished with coconut. It is dark, fragrant and pleasantly peppery, and it is worth making for the aroma alone.1 h 10 min·Serves 5
IndianChicken Tikka MasalaYogurt-marinated chicken pieces are seared until lightly charred, then simmered in a smoky, onion-rich tomato gravy finished with a little cream. A dinner for roti, naan or rice.1 h 25 min·Serves 4
IndianButter ChickenTender yogurt-marinated chicken in a silky tomato, butter and cashew sauce. Mildly spiced and creamy, it's an easy family dinner with naan or rice.1 h 25 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChicken Steam Roast (Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Steamed on Onions, Finished in the Oven)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 min·Serves 4
PakistaniKaleji Masala (Goat Liver in Onion-Tomato Masala with Ginger and Green Chilli)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 min·Serves 4
PakistaniBihari BotiThin beef strips tenderised with raw papaya, marinated in roasted spices, poppy seeds and mustard oil, slow-cooked until soft, then grilled for charred edges. Lovely with paratha or naan.6 h 50 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
PakistaniChicken Malai BotiTender boneless chicken pieces marinated in cream, cheese, cashew and white pepper, then grilled until lightly browned. Mild, rich and juicy, with no red chilli.45 min·Serves 4
PakistaniChapli Kabab (Peshawari-Style Spiced Beef Patties on the Griddle)Wide, flat beef patties packed with crushed coriander seed, pomegranate seed, tomato and green chilli, then cooked on a hot griddle until crisp at the edges and juicy inside.1 h 10 min·Serves 6
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