Pakistani cuisine is best characterized by the richness and harmony in its flavor. The major influences on this cuisine are from the India, Afghanistan and Central Asia regions. Pakistani cuisine also depicts the history of this land with major reminisces from the past in the form of many Mughal and Afghan dishes.

Food has always played a huge part of Pakistan’s social and cultural dynamic. Love for good food is what brings families and friends together. The presence of various ethnic groups and distinctively present cultural regions have created unique flavors or sub cuisines. The five major sub-cuisines in Pakistan include Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, Pakhtun, Urdu speaking, and Kashmiri.

For me the three basic characteristics of Pakistani cuisine are; use of spices, use of oil while cooking, and thorough cooking of dishes. To some this may sound unhealthy but a little less spices, a little less oil and not over cooking the vegetables/meat can add that health element to most of the recipes and they will still taste great! Pakistanis are most definitely meat lovers, yet, you will find some great varieties of vegetarian dishes.

I have cooked Pakistani food for some foreign palates and they seemed to love it! Some are even hooked to Biryani (Rice Dish) and some have started cooking Pakistani dishes like Daal (Lentils).

While on this journey of Chefling tales, I hope to discover much more about food culture and the history of Pakistan. I will be more than happy to share what I know.  :)

 

What do you have to say about Pakistani cuisine?