Recipes By Zainab Shah
60 recipes found
Spicy Shrimp Masala
Black pepper, garam masala, Thai green chiles and Kashmiri red chile powder make this shrimp masala a multi-layered delight of spices — fiery and smoldering simultaneously — while lemon juice and cilantro add brightness and bring some relief. In coastal cities of South Asia like Karachi and states like Goa, this preparation is typical and perfectly suited for crunchy, sweet shrimp. That such complexity comes together in 30 minutes feels like a small miracle.
Maash Ki Daal
Commonly made in Punjab on both sides of the Pakistan-India border, maash ki daal has a delightfully chewy texture. The liquid to lentils ratio, heat and timing in its preparation result in a dry, al dente daal. Kashmiri red chile powder adds a kick, and Thai green chiles add a fresh, bright and crunchy heat. Garam masala takes these layers of heat to the next level. Lemon juice, ginger and cilantro provide enough relief until the next bite. Although it’s served most commonly with roti, store-bought pita or even rice will do just fine.
One-Pot Vegetable Biryani
Vegetable biryani may be the underdog of biryanis since it's often overshadowed by meatier varieties. But like other formidable yet unsung dishes, this one’s adaptability helps it hold its own. Recipes vary across South Asia: Hyderabadi versions are known for their fieriness, while milder, nuttier variations dominate northern regions. This one falls somewhere in the middle. Use any vegetables you have, such as nutty cauliflower, sweet peas and crunchy carrots. Nuts and fresh or dried fruits add a confetti of flavors and textures. This recipe skips the layering typically called for in favor of conveniently stirring everything together. Luckily, using fewer dishes doesn’t compromise flavor.
Sabut Masoor Dal (Spiced Brown Lentils)
Traditional dal takes about an hour to cook. This recipe cuts that time in half by using high heat throughout the cooking process, removing extra water once the dal is tender and simultaneously cooking the masala. This kind of efficiency does require the use of two utensils, and it means watching a couple of burners at a time. It’s worth the effort because in the end, there’s the warmth of a big bowl of dal in around 30 minutes, a miracle when such comfort is most needed.
Mattar Paneer (Peas and Paneer in Spiced Tomato Gravy)
Traditionally, roasted and crushed cashews are puréed with cooked onions and tomatoes to make the base for this comforting vegetarian dish. This version skips the hassle of puréeing and instead uses a hefty amount of cashew butter for the same nutty flavor and creamy texture. Red chile powder, ginger and garlic provide the perfect backbone for the sauce. Substitute tofu for paneer if you like; the mildness of either lends itself well to this unexpectedly luxurious dish that is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Keema Samosas (Chicken Samosas)
In Pakistan, home cooks have varied takes on samosa fillings — this one combines spiced ground chicken with cilantro and green chiles for freshness — but most agree on store-bought spring roll wrappers for the shells. Convenience aside, these ready-made pastry sheets are the key to unparalleled crispness. Samosas are commonly assembled in big batches and frozen uncooked so they’re ready to fry anytime.
Nimbu Pani (Limeade)
Funky, salty and exceedingly sour, nimbu pani is a cool reprieve from the sweltering summer days in Lahore and across most parts of South Asia. It also makes for an excellent iftar drink: It’s instantly nourishing, and the salt hits differently after a long day of fasting. Kala namak, or Himalayan black salt, adds pungence to an already punchy drink. Add sugar, if you prefer balance over funk.
Kharra Masala Fish (Fish With Tomatoes and Onions)
The classic sweet and sour combination of onion and tomato makes the base for this quick fish kharra masala. Optional mustard seeds add pungent flavor and pair well with lemon juice, ginger and the smoldering heat of dried round red chiles. Use any kind of white fish you like and add more onion for more sweetness. Serve this bright and punchy dish with rice or roti, or by itself. For a saucier dish that’s more like a curry, stir in a half cup of water, fish stock or coconut milk after Step 2 and bring to a simmer.
Chicken Steam Roast
Traditionally served at wedding banquets in Pakistan, the chicken steam roast has found its way into Punjab’s street food scene, and the recipe is replicated by home cooks all across the country. Marinated chicken legs steam slowly in their own juices in a deep pot with a little bit of fat. A tawa or thin metal griddle (a metal comal would also work) is used to temper heat from the stove so it can be applied evenly and for longer. Steam accumulating in the closed pot raises its temperature high enough to cook the chicken through. Patience and faith are key ingredients in this recipe. Resist checking on the chicken periodically and have some faith in the cooking process; you’ll ultimately be rewarded. The result: tender, flavorful, falling-off-the-bone chicken legs.
Mint Chutney
In Desi cooking, mint chutney enlivens eggs, kormas, biriyanis, sandwiches and many other dishes, adding a sour, spicy and fresh cooling sweetness. Where it really sings, though, is as an accompaniment to samosas and chaats. Use Greek yogurt if you want a creamy chutney. Depending on preference, you can skip the raw garlic.
Keema Bhare Karelay (Bitter Melon Stuffed With Minced Chicken)
The intoxicating bitterness of karelay (also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd), is either loved or hated. This divisive vegetable needs a bit of coaxing to truly shine, and, in this recipe, marinating the peeled and cored melon in salt draws out the lion’s share of its bitterness. The result is a delicately pungent flavor perfectly suited to the vegetable’s texture. There are two varieties of bitter melon: This recipe, a common preparation in Pakistan and Northern India, calls for the South Asian type (often labeled “Indian”), which is a darker green and has more pronounced ridges and tapered tips than the Chinese variety. The melons are stuffed with a ground chicken filling that comes together quickly and can be prepared up to two days ahead. Though this dish is rewarding for those who already have a taste for bitter foods, its adaptability makes it the perfect gateway for cultivating one.
Quick Chicken Karahi (Spicy Chicken and Tomatoes With Chiles)
Chicken karahi is emblematic of Pakistani cooking, with its concentrated flavors that come from tomatoes simmered down to their sweet and tangy complexity. It is traditionally made in a karahi, a wide-mouthed, high-sided pan similar to a wok, which makes the cooking process quick and easy. (A deep 10- to 12-inch skillet works well, too.) Myriad spices — Kashmiri chile powder, cumin, coriander and turmeric — adds layers of heat. Finishing with plenty of thin matchsticks of ginger provides cooling freshness. Typically made with bone-in chicken pieces, this recipe calls for cubed boneless chicken thighs for a quicker cook time, so this classic dish can be enjoyed often.