22/02/2024
Chicken Karhai:
This is what we call real Dhaaba (roadside restaurant) food in Pakistan.
So many memories of going to one with close friends and family, and indulge in some dhaaba karhai. It was key to go in relaxed stretchy clothes to really have the room to indulge, completely guilt free.
At a dhaaba, you will always be welcomed by street cats and dogs rubbing against/hugging your legs - staring at you with those innocent hungry eyes. Not to forget the flies that fly around you and your plate - making sure to a) test your patience and b)remind you that they have full authority over your food.
At the restaurant, you can either sit on an overused plastic chair, or a charpai which is a bedstead, that has jute or synthetic rope stretched on its frame to sit on. If you are beyond lazy to stretch and sit on that charpai, and don’t want to move a limb (Pakistan does that to you!), then the food will be brought to your car, with a mini dining table that gets attached to the car window. Oh the luxuries!
You see the karhai getting prepared in a giant heavy wok in front and you find yourself dancing in those flavourful deep aromas. The piping hot karhai is brought to you in a wok itself, along with fresh out of the tandoor - hot fluffy (yet crispy) naan. All you gotta do right after is dunk a piece of that naan straight into that bold flavoured masala and chicken that easily falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.
This is a dish that’s cooked on high heat in a whole lot of tomatoes (NOT tomato purée or paste), and loads of roasted and pounded spices. Pls don’t confuse it with chicken curry. It’s not the same thing :)
The real magic in a karhai happens at the end, when the stove is turned off and it is garnished with thinly sliced spicy ginger, fresh cilantro, and slit green chillis - and covered immediately. It’s amazing how just THAT step brings a whole new depth to the dish.
Chicken Karhai is ofcourse on our menu. Proud to say, we’ve nailed this one. Any lovers for mutton karhai? ♥️
