Kaali daal or khari masoor ki daal is a popular vegetarian / vegan Pakistani lentil recipe made with black gram lentils. It can be served with chawal (rice) or roti. One of my favourite meals is kaali daal with chawal. The actual name of the daal is khari masoor ki daal or sabut masoor ki daal but it’s commonly known as kaali daal in Urdu. Probably because the type of lentils used are black gram lentils which are well…
As exciting as it was, my move to Sydney was quite overwhelming and challenging, and that is why I decided to write a beginners guide to living in Sydney. It’s a basic guide that will help newcomers especially expats like me who have moved halfway across the world to come to Australia. From the transportation system in Sydney to where to shop from to whether you should tip or not, to the unpredictable weather and the availability of Desi and…
Fresh mushrooms sautéed in garlic, avocado slices and of course lemon juice and salt come together to make this delicious avocado mushroom toast. Enjoy for breakfast, brunch or even dinner. The first time I tried avocado was as guacamole with tortilla chips and for years that was the only recipe I tried. As much as I loved them, avocados can be pricey and there is always that risk of them being under-ripe. Now that I am more comfortable with judging…
It’s the month of July. What used to be one of the hottest months of the year in Karachi is probably the coldest month of the year in Sydney. Even though it’s been more than a few weeks, the change still surprises me. Till I get used to it, here are monthly favourites July 2018. 1. Flatbread from Coles Supermarket I have talked about this roti so much on my Instagram that it had to be part of my monthly…
Reminiscent of Zainab market in Karachi, Paddy’s Markets at Haymarket near Chinatown is one of my favourite markets in Sydney for items like fruits and vegetables, clothes, accessories, gifts and souvenirs. There are numerous markets spread across Sydney, some that are only setup on certain days of the month and some that are regular fixtures housed in proper buildings. One of my most favourite ones has to be the Paddy’s Market at Haymarket. At a 10 minute walk from Central station…
Sample weekly dinner menu 3. Deciding what to make for dinner can be exhausting. Here’s a Pakistani weekly dinner menu plan that will help you decide ‘what’s for dinner’ or as we say locally ‘aaj kia pakayein’ Monday – Aloo Bhurta. Start off the week with a masaledaar vegetarian recipe, and make sure to store the leftovers to make a meal for another day. Tuesday – Dahi Chicken. Marinate chicken in yoghurt and spices the night before and cook it in the morning.…
Roasted butternut squash is the simplest way to use this hearty winter vegetable. Just cut, toss in spices and bake till tender. Toast the seeds to make for a quick snack. Living in the land down under (aka Australia) requires a bit of adjustment. For instance, it’s the month of July and I cannot go out without wearing a proper fleece jacket or a wool coat. Yes, that cold! Why? Because the seasons are upside down here and so it’s…