Jeeway Pakistan, Pakistani Mela 2014 in Rotterdam

Amanat Ali at the Pakistan Mela in Rotterdam

On Sunday 8th of June 2014 was the Pakistani mela in Rotterdam, entrance was free, and families basked in the sunshine, to celebrate our culture, food, art and entertainment.

The Festival  provided a opportunity to Pakistani and other communities living in the Netherlands to come together, to have a family day-out, to promote inter-cultural understanding through a fun-full day of culture, food and music, and project the positive image of Pakistan in the Netherlands.

Pakistani chai ka dhaba

The Mela was organised very well, they had set up a nice program and to top it all, even the parking was free! You could smell the bbq wih chicken tikka and seekh kababs.

Mint Chutney

Learn how to make a delicious mint chutney, desistyle!

Mint is commonly known as Pudina in Hindi and Urdu. Mint is a herb that has a distinct aroma and fragrance. The reason for mint being flavoured is because of the presence of menthol, which facilitates good digestion.

Chutneys come in a wide range of exciting and bold flavours from spicy to sweet,

Chatpatay Pakoray

Pakora, learn how to make it!

Ingredients:

Oil/ ghee	3 cups /200g
Green chilies	1 – 2 chopped
Onions, medium	2, sliced
Green coriander	Few leaves, chopped
Pakora Mix	1 Packet

Cooking Instructions:

1. You can make Pakoras/Fritters of various vegetables: Onion rings, Sliced Potatoes, Amchoore / Green Mango, filled Green Chilies, Spinach leaves, boiled Chicken beef cubes, etc. My personal favourites are thin cut potatoes and green chillies filled with chat masala and lemon juice.
2. Add 1 cup if water to one packet of Pakora Mix.
3. Mix thoroughly to make a smooth batter.
4. Set aside for 15-20 minutes.
5. Drop a spoonful of the batter in hot oil and deep fry until golden.
6. Dip the vegetables in the batter and deep fry.
7. Mix 1-2 tablespoons chat masala in a cup of boiled and chopped potatoes and press it into balls.
8. Dip in the Pakora batter and deep fry.

Barish, pakora aur ek garam chai ki pyali

 

Pakora

“Barish aur pakora”,That is the something we have been listening to for generations now. It has become a tradition and a culture. We desis are very different towards our food, we do not eat to satisfy our hunger and taste buds but it is our way of socialize. We want to sit with family while it’s raining outside

Let’s celebrate with mehndi!

Henna, or mehndi, is one of the oldest forms of body art known to man, stretching back over 8,000 years. The application of henna has for centuries been linked with times of joyous celebration, leisure, and togetherness.

How to apply mehndi

My personal favorite tool is a cone made of rolled plastic, similar to a cake decorating tube, with a tiny hole at the end. The benefit of such an application tool is that you can achieve incredibly fine lines. Usually, one cone can be used to decorate up to ten less-elaborately designed hands; for very detailed work a cone will cover two hands.

99 things we desi people do!

1. You unwrap gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping and especially those bows.
2. You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
3. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil.
4. Your kitchen has a sticky film of grease over it.
5. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
6. You have never used your dishwasher.
7. You eat all meals in the kitchen.
8. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
9. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
10. You always leave your shoes at the door.

Garam chai

Tea is an important thing in every Desi’s life. Before an arranged marriage, the would be dulha and his family are invited for tea at the girls house. The soon to be dulhan serves them chai with savouries. After the chai things are taken to the next level. Its what kids drink to stay awake and study, and its what we are given by a loved one when we are sick. Its what we serve our guests.

Desi Blog

My growing interest in Desi culture, Desi food and Bollywood has meant that for the first time I am going to write a blog about desi stuff, under the heading ‘garam chai ki pyalii blog’. My first blogs are about Desi chai and about the movie ‘Gunday’ of Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. My next topic will be Salmaan Khan in the film ‘Jai Ho’, I will also blog about the Desi kitchen and Bollywoodshows.

Jodha Akbar