The palate of Pakistan through a rich culture filled with familial food and the burgeoning fine dining restaurants of its cities.

Thursday 23 June 2011

Where's the Beef? At Meat One!


Meat One provides a clean and spacious setting for its customers 


In the days of the caveman one would have to hunt for their meat rather painstakingly and then butcher the entire animal, also rather painstakingly. Not much had changed in Pakistan either. We are not a nation of vegetarians, let’s be upfront about this. We love Nihari (shank stew), we love sticky Paye (mutton or beef trotters) and boy do we love our kebabs and botis!

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Cuisine Confidential

Ayaz Khan owner of Okra opens up about his restaurant, food trends and staying a small business

The exterior exudes rustic and homely yet exquisite fine dining awaits diners inside

The small alleyway that has been home to Okra for the past eleven years is a clogged artery come the weekend. Expensive cars with anything but yellow license plates crowd around the humble exterior. While the restaurant exudes a rustic feel the food could not be more refined. Humble is also the man that has been the sole proprietor of this establishment - Ayaz Khan. He speaks like a man who is still looking for perfection, while his diners may say that he has achieved and maintained it. An open kitchen invites one’s curiosity to gaze entranced at the deft movements and precision of the skilled chefs, all adorning pristine white and the toque perched atop their furrowed brows. The entire operation looks very simple and clinical in its undertaking but that has only been because of the discerning eye of Ayaz.

Friday 17 June 2011

Beef Kofta: Pakistani Style Meatballs in Gravy




A hearty dish of meatballs in a rich gravy. These koftas or meatballs are made of beef mince which must be further minced in a food processor with spices until a smooth paté texture is achieved. This process is very important as the meat's consistency will help the meatballs hold together as well as evenly distributing the spices within the mixture.