Last week we had an office barbecue party. The weather was perfect, and a day out with work-mates proved to be a great way to unwind after a long week.

Our colleague Umair Ahmad, who is the Finance Manager in our team, is an exceptional cook. He took charge of the menu of the day, and we enjoyed a smorgasbord of grilled delicacies including Masala Salmon, skewered kebabs that had the rustic aftertaste of charcoal, and a very delicious Peshawari Mutton Karhai.

This mutton dish was by far the highlight of the evening, and I coaxed Umair to share his special recipe with us. Do try it, its super easy and I’m sure it will soon become a favorite on your family table!

In the Middle East, weekends fall on Fridays and Saturdays. On Fridays, Muslims the world over offer the very special ‘jumma’ prayer, and this is traditionally followed by a lavish lunch with the family.

Biryani, a decadent rice pilaf layered with succulently spiced meat, tends to be a Friday lunch favorite.

My dear friend Sana Wahid makes the most delicious Yakhni Pulao, and has agreed to share her family’s secret recipe with us.

yakni pulao recipe2