Classic Blondies

Classic chocolate-chip blondies perfect for some weekend baking. These blondies are soft, chewy and they take less than a half hour to make! Chock full of indulgent chocolate, delicious toasted coconut and crunchy walnuts. Yes, yes and yes! If you love chocolate chip cookies and brownies than blondies are sure to win you over! These…

Pakoray (Fried fritters)

It’s raining, it’s pouring… So we are making pakoras in our kitchen today!  Our family food tradition – whenever it rains, we make these “Pakoras” (deep-fried Fritters) and eat them with chutney and sip on hot tea while inhaling the sweet smell of rain! Pure heaven! Although you can make pakoras from a variety of…

Daal Palak – Saucy Yellow lentils with spinach

Lentils with spinach. Delicious, tangy and earthy flavors combine to make a lip-smacking and healthy dish. This is one of my favorite ways to incorporate spinach in my diet. Its easy to make, the ingredients are always accessible and just SO GOOD! Funny story: Growing up there were only 5 lentil dishes that I would…

Chicken Pepper Masala

Thinking of what to make for dinner is a struggle every night – especially on week nights! Sometimes, the kids’ activities run late and I have just an hour to prepare something that is quick, nutritious and delicious. I always try to plan the menu of the day the night before. I usually take out…

Thai Red Chicken Curry

Do you believe that the warmth of a spicy flavorful curry beats all the odds of winter? I do! When the temperatures are dropping outside and you want something to warm your body and soul before you go into hibernation, a bowl of delicious hot curry is your secret weapon. There are times when you…

Chickpeas curry – Pakistani style!

Chickpeas are such a staple in Pakistani cuisine. They are made into a curry and paired with paratha for a perfect breakfast. Or mixed with tangy chutnies to become your favorite street snack chaat. Or cook it with chicken and you have the famous murgh cholay! And chickpeas rightly deserve this special place in our…

Karahi Daal

Any roadside stall or dhaba in Pakistan will definitely have a non-veg Karahi but it’s vegetarian menu will most probably list Karahi Daal as it’s first dish. This is a dry Chana daal or bengal gram lentil dish made in a spicy tomato base. Garnished with cilantro, ginger and green chillies, this daal is always…

Khaosuey – A delicious Pakistani version of this Burmese dish.

Today really felt like Fall here in Philly with the weather being in the upper 60s. We were shivering in the morning on our way to school dropoff and enjoying the warm afternoon in our cozy sweaters. The sound of the crisp leaves under my boots, and the cold air rustling through my hair made…

Our favorite Ramadan books

Ramadan is the perfect time to introduce little kids to this Holy month and to help older kids increase their knowledge about Islam and its history. I always hide the Ramadan books and bring them out just before Ramadan begins and the kids eagerly wait to read them. Our book collection has grown over the…

Muslim Exhibit at the Please Touch Museum

Hello, everyone!! ❤️ You can see how happy I am to see the traditional Pakistani truck with its vibrant art. This is up for display at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia at their America to Zanzibar – Muslim cultures near and far exhibit. This amazing exhibit was originally developed by the Children’s Museum of…