No matter how busy life gets, no matter how many after-school clubs your kids have joined or how much help they need with homework, your family still has to eat. But that doesn’t mean you need to eat frozen pizza or mac ‘n’ cheese for every meal. It also doesn’t mean you need to neglect your beautiful family as you measure ingredients and decode a recipe.
These four easy weeknight fusion meals are fun, easy-to-make and guaranteed to add a little variety to your ordinary dinner routine.
Tuscan shrimp tikka masala (Italian-Pakistani)
Culinary worlds collide! If you like Tuscan shrimp and chicken tikka masala, you’ll love this fun, easy-to-make Pakistani twist on an Italian classic. This recipe takes everything you love about creamy, buttery Tuscan shrimp and takes it to the next level with extra spice and complex flavours.
Instead of garlic, Shrimp is sauteed with National Chicken Tikka Masala recipe mix. The sauce is then made with National KasuriMethi Leaves (fenugreek), National Turmeric Powder, chicken tikka masala recipe mix, National Chili Powder and heavy cream. Ready for the final twist? Swap out the pasta for rice.
Chicken chutney rolls (Chinese-Pakistani)
Forget everything you know about egg rolls. These chicken chutney rolls are healthier, tastier and, sure, we’ll say it, more fun than ordinary egg rolls! For the filling, you mix chopped chicken breast with National Garam Masala, National Himalayan Pink Salt, National Green Chili Sauce, mayonnaise and shredded cheese. Then wrap it up in an egg roll sheet, coat it in panko breadcrumbs, fry and serve with hot mango chutney. Crispy, savoury, sweet, spicy and absolutely delicious!
Bihari boti pasta(Italian-Pakistani)
As kids head back to school under difficult circumstances and many of us return to our workplaces after lengthy shutdowns, we’re all looking for a little comfort these days. Nothing says comfort quite like a big bowl of hearty, filling pasta. But if you’re tired of spaghetti bolognese and don’t want to assemble lasagna, bihariboti pasta might be for you.
This fusion dish brings the bold, spicy flavours of barbecue to a family-friendly pasta. Strips of sirloin steak are marinated in National Bihari Kabab Masala spice mix, yoghurt, National Ginger and Garlic Paste and fried onions.
The marinated meat is then fried with chopped coriander leaves, shredded carrots, tomato paste, chopped orange pepper, chopped mint leaves, fenugreek leaves and Himalayan pink salt. The final step? Mix in the cooked pasta and serve. Comfort in a bowl.
Chicken tikka nachos (Mexican-Pakistani-Indian)
All your favourite Indian/Pakistani takeout flavours in nacho form. Chicken pieces are marinated in ginger and garlic paste, lemon juice and chicken tikka masala spice mix. The chicken is then cooked with National Chili Garlic Sauce. Scatter the chicken over a bed of toasted naan chips, smothered in cheese and then bake.
Top it off with a cooling dipping sauce made from sour cream, mayo, National Coriander Powder, cumin powder, spring onion and lemon. Your family will absolutely rave about the incredible results (once they’ve finished digging in)!
Short on time this school season? With these family-friendly recipes, you won’t need to sacrifice fun or flavour.