It’s July! Countdown to one of the most awaited festival. Yes, Eid-ul-Azha it is. A fainted gloom of not getting Eidi this Eid is always overpowered with the excitement of getting abundant of food instead. Yeah, we Lahoris can live for that! This pandemic, you don’t have to worry about all the things that you can’t do on Eid like visiting restaurants, get together etc but focus on all the cooking that you can collectively indulge in as a family. This scenario spells fun and family time so let’s get started.
The Starters for Eid
Kaleji
Image Credits – Food Fusion
It has been a ritual since forever at many houses to devour the fresh Kaleji of the sacrificed animal. In fact, it is the first thing that is brought in to the house while the qasai is still busy making the meat. The best part is that it has no set recipe. You have to trust your instincts with the spices. Fried in Desi ghee and garnished with coriander, onion, lemon juice or tomatoes. You pick, enjoy and begin your festivities like never before.
Kebab
Good ol’ kebabs go with every dish that we can possibly think of. From the savoury daal chaawal on a boring Tuesday to a tea time staple with chutney or plain ketchup. It won’t harm to make a few for day 1 and freeze the rest for later. You never know when the hunger pangs will urge you to fry some. Don’t forget your mint sauce with it! Also, keep at least an extra kilo of the total minced meat. We will tell you later why!
Mutton Champain
Who could say no to braising, marinating,skewing, grilling and shallow frying these beauties? They don’t even require much of the kitchen time and you can totally leave them unattended while sipping your limo pani in the lounge to beat the heat. Turn the flame down and keep an eye on them so the charred effect doesn’t turn into a literal burnt one. Be watchful of your cholesterol and portions. Taste everything in moderation and you will not regret smothering extra butter on them.
Entree for Eid:
Haleem/Nihari
One of the two dishes that are always made in abundance and never fail to fill up your appetite. The healthiest among our list, both of them are infused with meat from your sacrificial animal, grandma’s recipe and variety of garnishing. Served with tandoori naan or in some cultures plain white rice. We approve both! Need an unpopular opinion? Ditch garnishing and sprinkle chaat masala on your haleem/nihari loaded plate. Thank us later for the delectable taste for your taste-buds.
Yukhni Pulao, Not Biryani!
The Lahore v/s Karachi debate about Biryani can never come to rest, but we can by causing a yummilicious diversion towards Yakhni Pulao. It has officially proven to serve as a portion of comfort food in our journal of sanctuary foods to feel better on one of those days. The dam ridden rice with mutton or beef broth steamed together in a pot is as heavenly as it can get. Even a plain yoghurt is enough as a complimentary side. The more you eat, the more life becomes about rainbows and unicorns. Don’t trust us? Try it yourself.
Desi Curry (Mutton Kunna, Hareesa, Karahi)
The options of handi, curry or salan are limitless. Some like their spices mild (who are you people?), while some prefer a special addition of pepper. Commonly topped with butter or desi ghee for a more wholesome taste, it is essential for your dining table. Cooking freshly made meat and that too in variety is a dream come true for every foodie. Need a twist? Try Kunna Gosht or Hareesa and be mesmerized by a different tinge of taste.
Qeema Paratha/Naan
This very title is the reason we asked you earlier for saving that extra kg of your minced meat. Them till naans or parathas is the creme de la creme of all the wheat products. You can get your local naan shop involved in this adventure or you can perform a DIY tandoor at home, but in any case; do not miss out on this delicacy that requires a crunchy, crispy, meat-filled naans and parathas sizzled in desi ghee. You won’t stop at only one, we bet!
Eid Lasagna
We know that person who makes those faces with all the gosht overload at home. Yes, we all have at least one in the house! Although the aforementioned dishes will force them to try muttony and beefy foods we also need an excuse after a full desi feast to transition into a desi gooey lasagna. The leftover minced meat from the qeema parathas can be used in the dish, like totally! Grate your favourite cheese as much as you want, sauce it up and fill the dish with lasagna strips. That’s it. Bake and enjoy a full-fledged and convenient meaty delight.
Hope you have a healthy and meaty Eid. Don’t forget to help the poor, keep a close check on loved one’s and ask them before sending any food to them. Everyone is following their own version of social distancing and it is completely okay if they are only consuming self-cooked meals at the moment. Enjoy your food comma in the meanwhile and spend all the time that you can with your own family! Advance Eid Moobarik.
