Aaloo Bukhary Ki Chutney (Plum Chutney)
Ingredients
1 cup prunes (dried plums)
2 cups water
½ cup sugar
½ cup vinegar
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Red chili powder, to taste
Procedure
In a saucepan, add the water, salt, peppers, and chili powder to dried plums.
Bring to a boil and cook until plums are tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add sugar.
Stir, and cook until the sugar melts and the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
Add the vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil, about 2 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature as a condiment with roti (bread), meat, or vegetables.

Those who can afford it eat meats such as sheep, poultry, and sometimes gayka gosht (beef). There are a number of ways meat is prepared in Pakistan. Karai is a method where the meat is cooked with vegetables and served in its own pan. Jalfrezi is meat stir-fried with tomatoes, egg, and chilies. Tikka and bhoti kebab both refer to meat grilled on a spit (a slender rod or skewer) over an open fire.




Chicken Karaii
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup water
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup green chilies, finely chopped
4 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon allspice powder
½ cup vegetable oil
Procedure
In a saucepan, boil the chicken in the water for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In a frying pan, heat oil over medium heat and add the tomatoes.
Stir and cook the tomatoes until they form a thick paste.
Add the ginger, salt, allspice, black pepper and chicken.
Cook on low heat until the chicken is tender.
Add the green chilies and cook for 2 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6.




Raita (Yogurt and Vegetable Salad)
Ingredients
1 cup plain yogurt
3 to 4 cups mixed vegetables, such as raw spinach and cucumber, cooked potatoes or eggplant
½ cup onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 Tablespoons fresh mint, minced
½ teaspoon each cumin, salt, and black pepper
Procedure
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix well.

Serves 6 to 8.




Lassi (Yogurt Drink)

This popular drink can be enjoyed sweet or salty. Pakistanis usually drink lassi sweet for breakfast, or salty for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
3 cups plain yogurt
3 to 4 ice cubes
1 teaspoon salt or sugar
½ cup water
Procedure
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into individual glasses.

Serves 3 or 4.




Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Ingredients
1 cup rice, uncooked
½ gallon milk
¼ cup almonds or pistachios, crushed
1½ cup sugar
¼ cup raisins
Procedure
Combine the rice and milk in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and add the sugar and nuts. Stir.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle with raisins. Serve hot or cold.

Serves 4.