Top Ten Famous And Unique Dishes in Pakistan
Mugalani flavors also add richness and royalty to Pakistani cuisine. This cuisine is also the heir of the Indo-Aryan and Muslim cultures. A gourmet should definitely try the variety and originality of Pakistani dishes.
The main elements of Pakistani dishes are spices and various types of oils, which give the consumer the perfect flavor and a fuller mouthfeel. Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmeg, black and red pepper, cumin seeds, bay leaf and turmeric are the main spices used in these products. Here are some Pakistani dishes worth having for lunch, take a look:
Halva Puri:
Halwa puri is one of the favorite dishes in Pakistan. This dish is most often eaten for breakfast. Halva is basically a dessert that is rich in butter and eggs with suji (a form of wheat flour) or tazin (gram flour) as the main ingredient. Puri are chapatis made from fine flour or maida, deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown. It is served hot and loved in all parts of Pakistan, but for the best taste, it is best to look for a restaurant in Lahore or Karachi.
Siri Paye:
Siri Paaye is the dish most commonly eaten for breakfast. This dish is also loved in winter, as it consists of hot soup. The main ingredient is the head and paws of a lamb or cow, cooked overnight to make soup. It is considered a very healthy dish for bones. The bone marrow is eaten, which gives instant energy. Served with Naan. Some of the popular restaurants that offer Paaye include Fazal e Haq Siri Paaye in Lahore and Karachi.
Nihari:
This dish is mostly eaten in Punjab. In this dish, the meat is cooked overnight to become very tender. A thick soup is prepared and served with a filling of fried onion, chili, coriander, lemon juice and garlic. Most people like to add cow or sheep maghaz (brain) and nally (bone marrow) to their soup. Nihari is mainly derived from the Persian word "Nihar" which means "day" or "day break". It is traditionally made with lamb, but a chicken or cow meat substitute can also be used.
Peshawari Chappli Kabab:
Peshawari chappli kabab is a famous Peshawar dish. Minced meat is the main ingredient, which is rich in onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, coriander, chili and salt. It is shaped like flat circles and is fried. Kabab chapplies are served hot with naan or tandori roti along with green chili sauce and yogurt. It is also eaten as a side dish or snack for tea. Peshawari Chappli Kebab is a must in almost all local restaurants in Peshawar.
Kashmiri Pulao:
Kashmiri pulao is a rice-based dish that has lamb or cow meat added to it. A meat and bone soup is prepared in which rice is boiled. Raisins, almonds, and cashews are added to the rice during cooking and are also served topped with these nuts. This dish originates from Kashmir and is loved throughout Pakistan. Unlike biryani and other rice-based dishes, this dish is not very spicy, but slightly sweet.
Dahi bhallai:
Dahi bhalli is a local dish of Punjab, Pakistan. It consists of bhalla, phulkiyan, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and chili peppers dipped in yogurt or dahi. This dish is part of the appetizers and they like to eat it in the evening. Masala, made up of spice powder, is used to sprinkle on a plate or serving dish to make it tasty to the taste of the consumer. You can find it everywhere in major cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad etc.
Nargisi Koftai:
Nargisi Koftai is a dish whose main ingredient is meatballs. In this dish, meatballs, unlike other meatball dishes, have boiled eggs in the center of the balls. Each boiled egg is cut into two halves and covered with raw minced meat. These meatballs are then fried until brown and cooked into a curry. Nargisi Koftai is served hot with chopped green coriander leaves and eaten with naan or roti.
Halim:
This dish looks like brown soup but is actually a mixture of lentils and meat. Whole lentils are soaked during the day and then cooked all night over low heat. Halim is mainly derived from the word "Dalim", which means "a mixture of daalain (lentils)". The meat is also mixed into the soup by intense boiling, resulting in a pudding-like material. Served with chopped chili, fried onion, coriander, garam masala, ginger and lemon juice. Traditionally, it is made in large quantities and sent as a gift to neighbors, relatives and friends.
Heer:
Kheer is a rice pudding dessert prepared at a feast or wedding, or as a sweet after-meal dish. This is done by boiling the rice until very soft and then adding milk and sugar to it. To add flavor to the dish, a lot of dried fruits and raisins are added. Served both hot and cold. The serving bowl is again decorated with crushed nuts and raisins. The dish is mainly prepared for special occasions such as Eid or weddings. This is Pakistan's favorite dessert.
Gajrella:
This is a classic wedding dessert. The main ingredient of this dish is ghadjar or carrots. Grate carrots and fry until soft. This dessert is also prepared with milk and sugar. A highly condensed, stretchy form of milk called khoya is also added to carrots along with desi ghee. A lot of dried fruits are added to the dish and served hot. It is mainly prepared in winter when carrots are easy to get. The dessert is full of energy and gives a richer taste of carrots.
There are so many other Pakistani dishes that are known for their taste. The most important thing about Pakistani food is that it is halal food and no pork or any other haram food is added to this cuisine. Both spicy and sweet dishes are unique, and the taste is inimitable. If you have ever been to Pakistan or Pakistani cuisine, be sure to try all these dishes. Good luck!