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
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
PakistaniPrawn KarahiJuicy prawns tossed quickly in a tomato, ginger and green chilli masala until the oil glistens. A fast, punchy karahi that suits a weeknight dinner with hot naan.42 min·Serves 4
PakistaniFish Tikka with Ajwain and Mustard Oil MarinadeFirm white fish cubes marinated in spiced yogurt, ginger-garlic, ajwain and a little mustard oil, then grilled until lightly charred. It works on a grill, in the oven or on a stovetop pan.1 h 10 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
PakistaniKunna Gosht (Sealed Pot Slow-Cooked Mutton)Bone-in mutton cooked in its own juices with yogurt, ghee and whole spices in a dough-sealed pot until it falls off the bone. A rich Punjabi-style dum dish for weekends.3 h 25 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
PakistaniKeema Karela (Bitter Gourd with Spiced Minced Beef)Salted and browned bitter gourd cooked into a savoury beef mince masala with onions and tomatoes. The keema softens the bitterness, so it suits both karela lovers and doubters.1 h 20 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