recipes

This is a tricky recipe - sometimes it turns out awesome, other times no one wants to eat it.

• Brussels sprouts
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp curry leaves
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 chillis, chopped
• 50g dessicated coconut
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 lemon (juiced)

This khichri recipe is modified for backpacking, at home this would include a bhaagar and a few different steps. Normally you would have a seperate pot for rinsing and soaking, and another one for frying, but here we have just the one larger pot and one smaller frypan.

• 3/4 cup mixed dhal - a even mix of mung and masoor
• 3/4 cup basmati rice
• 1 tomatoes chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 1-2 garlic
• a tiny bit of ginger
• 1 fresh chillis chopped (optional)
• 1/2 coriander, chopped

A simple (fake) chicken recipe

I don't like butter chicken, or the many spices or sugar which goes into it. So this is basically a karhai recipe with a bit of added ghee and cream.

1. Seitan based fake chicken, 250 grams
2. 3 tomatoes diced
3. 2 chillis cut into semi-large pieces (4 green or 2 green and 2 red)
4. 2 tbsp plain yoghurt
5. 1/4 cup cream
6. coriander, chopped

A vegetable biryani. Cooked using a round cast iron enamelled casserole.

1. 3 cups basmati rice (500-600g), add 1/2 cup if more ppl - parboiled basmati works great.
2. 400g sweet potato
3. 2 medium size beetroots (1.5 if large)
4. 5-6 tomatoes
5. Chickpea can 400g, drained and rinsed
6. 250g indian paneer, cut into cubes
7. 2 large onions, finely sliced
8. Cashews, small handful

My one and only pasta receipe.

• 6-8 Zuchinnis, sliced into half moons
• 4 tomatoes, rinsed and diced
• garlic, lots of it, 6 cloves diced, ideally fresh
• 1-2 chillis (optional)
• shallots (optional)
• Penne Pasta
• mint, chopped
• parmesan cheese, fancy as you want it to be, shredded or shaved
• salt

Recipe in progress in an attempt to recreate a vegan version of homestyle aloo keema.

• 350 gms vegan mince, soy/pea/wheat protein based - e.g birds eye mince
• 2 tomatoes diced into cubes (could use peas too instead)
• 1 onion sliced
• 2 green chilis, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic crushed
• 1 tsp ginger minced
• 1/2 tsp tamarind paste (optional)
• coriander, half bunch
• 2-3 medium potatoes, cubed medium small
• 1 tsp zeera (cumin seeds)

Shamsad ki recipe, punjabi style. This is what she makes at home for her family. Its the first time I ever had this dish in Pakistan.

• 2-3 eggs
• 3 small potatoes, diced into biggish pieces
• 1 tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 green chillis
• coriander, chopped

Recipe from Lahore. Smokey yummy goodness.

• 1kg eggplants
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 onions
• 2 green chilli
• 2-3 tbsp desi yoghurt
• 1 lemon
• coriander, chopped

Recipe from Lahore.

• 5-6 tomatoes
• 3 onions
• coriander
• 1 kg bhaigan (eggplants)

The basic aloo sabzi. If made right, its awesome. This is the staple breakfast/lunch/camping/everything Pakistani dish.

• 4-6 potatoes
• 2-3 tomatoes chopped
• 1-2 tsp cumin seeds
• coriander, chopped
• optional: two fresh chillis

A very tasty salad, suitable for a side dish or an easy lunch.

• 200-250 grams baby tomatoes, rinsed and halved
• 250 grams mung beans sprouts (rinse)
• 1 cucumber, deseeded and sliced
• 8-10 spring onions, top and tailed and sliced
• coriander, finely chopped
• 2 cm ginger, peeled and tiny diced
• radishes (a bunch or 8ish), finely sliced

cucumber + mint raita

• 1-2 tsp cumin seeds
• pinch of chilli powder
• 1 big cucumber or 2 smallish
• 1-2 cup indian yoghurt (or more, whatever fits in your bowl)
• half a bunch worth of fresh mint leaves, chopped fine
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 chilli, chopped (optional, cause a good raita isn't too spicy, the food is.)
• Optional: a bit of fresh coriander, chopped

Recipe from Lahore. Needs some more tips from the original cook.

• 1 cup urud dhal (split black mung beans) - mash ki dhal
• 2 tomatoes diced
• 1 onion sliced and cut a bit more
• 1-2 green chilis, chopped
• 1/2-1 tsp garlic crushed
• 1/2-1 tsp ginger minced
• 1/2 tsp tamarind paste
• coriander, half bunch
• fresh ginger, cut into strips

aka spicy chickpeas with a ton of ginger.

• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt 1 tsp

A faster daal recipe. 30 min, good for 3 ppl, 4 with a small side dish.

• 200 grams mung beans sprouts (rinse)
• 400 grams sprouted lentils (rinse)
• 2-3 tomatoes, diced.
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tsp garlic paste (not heaped)
• 3-4 chilli, chopped
• 1.5 lemons, squeeze the juice
• coriander, chopped

Makes kebabs for frying or grilling. Goes well in burgers.

• 1 can chickpeas, drained, well-rinsed and mashed
• 1 can black beans, drained, well-rinsed and mashed
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 1 zucchini, grated (around 1-1.5 cups grated)
• 1 beetroot, grated
• 2-3 brussel sprouts, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 bunch finely chopped coriander
• 2 spicy chillis finely chopped
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp garlic (crushed from bottle)
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt (or 1/2 for salt haters)
• 1 cup quick oats or rolled oats
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

A easy cooking dhal receipe.

Omelette, Pakistani style. If made properly, this is the best omelette.

• 2 organic eggs
• tomato diced
• coriander, diced
• onion, diced
• chilli, diced

Home made recipe from FDT. This is a basic desi karhai receipe which can be used as the base for anything.

1. 5 largish tomatoes
2. big piece of ginger - cut into long strips
3. 4 chillis cut into semi-large pieces (4 green or 2 green and 2 red)
4. plain yoghurt
5. coriander, heaps of it (chopped)
6. optional: paneer or tofu or vegetables (cooked separately and added at the end)
7. optional: boil eggs, slice in half and add towards the end