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SPICY AND FRESH - the words that come to mind when I think about Pakistani food. The cuisine in Pakistan is a blend of various techniques from Indian, Afghan, Chinese and Middle Eastern influences. I expected the food to be similar all over Pakistan, but I found that both the food and the way it's cooked changes from region to region.
In the rural areas of North Pakistan we mostly ate at 'dhabas', which is the name given to the roadside restaurants or truck stops.
We stopped at a charming dhaba on the way to Hunza. The power of the waves flowing by to the right is a humbling sound.
Most dhabas, however, are big mud structures with cots (called Charpai) or plastic chairs to sit on. No matter what kind, they always have a great view of the highway and the mountains surrounding it.
It's normal to find yourself sitting cross legged on a massive cot big enough for 50 people.
The food is then cooked fresh in the open air kitchens right next to you and served on a mat in front of you. At the high altitudes of the Karakoram, people mostly eat meat, wheat products, lentils and seasonal vegetables. The three common foods that are served are:
- Daal (lentil stew)
- Chicken Karahi (spicy boneless chicken)
- Raita (vegetable salad in yoghurt to balance the spice).
The most common food of all, and my favourite, is the Chapati. It's a long and circular flat bread served with every meal. You tear off a little bit and use it to scoop up your food, replacing the need for utensils! It's very thin and crispy and tastes the best when it's fresh.
Finally, no meal is complete without a cup of tea. A steaming cup of tea holds a starring role in Pakistani traditions - from welcoming guests inside your home to relaxing after a busy work day.
You can get milk tea, black tea or 'masala' tea from any restaurant. Milk tea is the most common as it is prepared in huge batches. Masala tea is my favourite as the tea leaves are boiled with added spices. After stuffing your face with lentils and curries, the tea is perfect to settle the stomach and get you refreshed. Join me at the next post where we hit the road again!
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