Pakistani cuisines do not just travel around Asia, but they have popularity among food lovers in Chicago too. If you are one of them, you are probably craving the taste of Pakistani flavors. As for the karahi, BBQ, we might find a lot of options, but a desi dessert by a special expert is only found in Pakistani Restaurants in Chicago. But you can also try some of them at home. Want a basic recipe? Let’s find out.
Top 3 Pakistani Desserts to must try
You might have already got the flavors of Paktani desserts from famous Pakistani Restaurants in Chicago, but DIY is something else and always special.
1. Gulab Jamun:
Gulab Jamun is a popular sweet treat in Pakistan. It is made from milk powder, flour, ghee, and sugar syrup. Here is an easy recipe:
- Mix milk powder, flour, and ghee in a bowl to form a dough.
- Shape the dough into small balls and deep fry them until golden brown.
- In a separate pan, prepare sugar syrup by boiling water and sugar together.
- Add the fried gulab jamuns to the sugar syrup and let them soak for a few minutes.
- Serve the gulab jamuns warm or chilled.
2. Kheer:
Kheer is a creamy rice pudding that is commonly enjoyed in Pakistan. Here is a recipe you can try:
- Boil rice in water until it becomes soft and mushy.
- Mash the rice with a fork until it resembles oatmeal.
- In a separate pot, heat milk and add the mashed rice to it.
- Stir in sugar and cardamom pods and cook on low heat until the kheer thickens.
- Garnish with crushed nuts like pistachios, cashews, and almonds before serving.
3. Meethi Tikiyaan:
Meethi Tikiyaan are sweet fritters that are flavored with cardamom and saffron. Here is a traditional recipe you can try:
Prepare a batter by mixing flour, sugar, cardamom powder, saffron threads, and butter.
- Heat oil in a pan and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil.
- Fry the tikiyaan until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the excess oil and serve the meethi tikiyaan warm.
Common ingredients used in Pakistani cuisine
Common ingredients used in Pakistani desserts include:
1. Maida flour:
Maida flour, which is similar to all-purpose flour, is often used as a base ingredient in many Pakistani desserts.
2. Saffron:
Saffron is a popular spice used to add flavor and color to Pakistani desserts like Shahi Tukray and Sheer Khurma.
3. Ghee:
Ghee, or clarified butter, is commonly used for frying and adding richness to Pakistani desserts.
4. Sugar:
Sugar is a staple ingredient in Pakistani desserts, providing sweetness to dishes like Gulab Jamun and Kheer.
5. Milk:
Milk is a key ingredient in many Pakistani desserts, such as Firni/Kheer and Shahi Tukra, giving them a creamy and rich texture.
6. Nuts:
Various nuts like almonds, pistachios, and cashews are often used as garnishes in Pakistani desserts, adding crunch and flavor.
7. Cardamom:
Cardamom is a spice commonly used in Pakistani desserts for its aromatic and warm flavor.
8. Rice:
Rice is used in desserts like Kheer and Firni, where it is cooked with milk to create a creamy rice pudding.
Bottom Line
If you are curious and do not really know about Pakistani desserts, Ali Nihari restaurant is offering it all. All you need is to visit one of the best Pakistani Restaurants in Chicago and admire the taste of desi cuisine. So, if you try it at home, you can have the perfect taste as it is meant to be.