How do our food experts cook and eat? This week, food blogger Nazia from Pakistan, living in Sri Lanka takes our Q&A!

What’s your first memory of cooking?  
One of my earliest memories is the first time I cooked for my in-laws after I got married and came to Sri Lanka. I had made Chinese food and my brother-in-law said it tasted exactly like Flower Drum. I didn’t understand what he meant as I hadn’t been to Flower Drum and had no idea what it was! 

How did you learn to cook? 
I began cooking classes when I got engaged. In Pakistan, at that time, it was a tradition for girls to attend classes to learn basic cooking skills after they got engaged. That’s what helped me to start cooking. I have also learned from watching other people cook growing up, like my mum and grandma. After I got married, I began cooking more and more. My father-in-law had very high standards and his approval meant a lot to me, so I strived to keep getting better. I have been cooking for over 30 years and now I just go with my instincts – I don’t use measuring spoons and set recipes. When you don’t go by the quantities of ingredients, you will naturally know the amounts required over time. That’s how I learnt to cook and that’s how I encourage others to cook as well! Don’t be dependent on measurements. Develop your own instincts and sense of taste!

What ingredient is underrated?
Salt – the right amount of salt can make or break any dish. When you feel like your dish doesn’t taste right, you might have added too little salt. It’s a simple ingredient but it makes a big difference.

What was your favourite childhood meal?
Roti paratha with fresh ghee – my grandmother would make it for me every day for breakfast before I went to school. I used to have it with fresh cream (malai). And today, I make it for my daughter when she comes home, it’s her favourite breakfast too.

What’s something Pakistani food and Sri Lankan food don’t have in common? 
Coconut milk is a very central flavour in Sri Lankan cuisine but Pakistani food rarely has any coconut milk in it.

What’s a traditional Pakistani dish on your Instagram that you’d recommend for anyone to try and make? 
Karhai chicken or beef – it’s a thick tomato-based curry which requires basic everyday ingredients that you can find in your kitchen. It’s one of the easiest dishes to cook, especially for people who have just started cooking – and it’s a super dish. The recipe is on my Instagram!

What is something you love to eat but never cook? 
Bakery items like croissants, fresh biscuits and pastries! I love the smell of butter and freshly baked pastries but I don’t bake very often.

It’s your last day on earth, where are you? 
I’m in my mother’s house in Karachi, eating whatever she has made, surrounded by my entire family - because food is enjoyed best with loved ones.

The easiest meal you would make to impress someone? 
Pakistani style Chicken Biryani – biryani can be the way to anyone’s heart.

What Sri Lankan dish blew you away when you first had it? 
The Masala Chicken from Pillawoos! I love spicy food and it was just the perfect combination of garlic, chillie, onions and curry leaves.  

Your proudest food invention?
One of my favourite things to do is to replicate dishes of various cuisines from the different restaurants I’ve eaten at. I try to recreate it on my own without checking the recipe and try to get the closest taste possible. Once when visiting family in New York, I had Yemeni food for the first time and really enjoyed it. Recently, I tried to make it at home and it came out really well! 

What are your favourite leftovers to work with?
I like to make a spicy red pulao (Akhni) with leftover beef curry – it’s an easy lunch meal to prepare and loved by my whole family.

Your favourite recipe that has been passed down to you from family?
I learnt how to make Gur Papri from my mother. Gur Papri is a sweet dish made using jaggery and atta flour, with fresh ghee, goondh (edible gum) and lots of nuts. In Memon culture, it is a tradition to make it for new mothers and brides. I love making it because it’s such a celebratory sweet.

If you can travel anywhere to explore the cuisine? 
I love Lebanese/Turkish cuisine and really want to visit Turkey to explore the food and culture.

A dish you are looking forward to making in the future? 
I want to try making a classic steak with a side of veggies and a garlic or pepper sauce. It’s different to what I usually cook but I am excited to try it.