It’s that time of the four years again, the Cricket World Cup 2015.

There is something so heartening about seeing everyone come together; ethnicity, religion, race, creed, caste all left behind just as it should be, to watch the wonderful game of cricket.

I remember the 1987 Cricket World Cup well, I watched two matches at the wonderful National Stadium, Karachi. Here’s hoping that cricket returns to the stadiums of Pakistan soon!

Cricket is best enjoyed with family and friends hence for the Pakistan versus India match I decided to host a party for my dearest Pakistani friends here in the US.

The theme of the party was Go Green, so of course, the guests had to wear green to the party and the menu was green too. Maybe for the next Pakistan match you can have a Go Green party too.

I put together the menu with great care, since a very important aspect of a party menu is the putting together of foods that compliment each other. I wanted the meal to be balanced, green, delicious and something that my wonderful guests would enjoy. Here it is from my kitchen to yours.

Palak Gosht

Ingredients

2 lbs goat meat (preferably leg meat cut in small cubes)
Chopped spinach
1 ½ medium sized onions

2 ½ medium sized tomatoes

Oil to taste

1 tsp fresh ginger

1 tsp fresh garlic

Salt to taste

3 to 5 green chillies (sliced in half)

1 to 1½ tsp red chillie

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp turmeric

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin

½ to 1 tsp garam masala

10 to 12 black peppercorns

8 to 12 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 black cardamom

Chopped cilantro, green chillie, and chopped ginger for garnish

Method

In a pot, put together meat, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes and ginger garlic. Cook for 10-15 minutes on medium to high heat until the meat releases water, stirring occasionally.

Now add powdered spices and salt; cook for a few minutes, adding oil, whole spices and green chillie.

Cook and stir on a high heat until the stew is of a rich red hue and the oil separates from the meat, adding a little water (eyeballing the required amount) to the stew and leave to simmer until the meat is almost tender.

Add in the spinach and let the meat and spices cook together until tender, with the oil sitting atop.

Garnish and serve with hot chappati, naan or boiled rice. (I prefer it with boiled white rice).

Chicken Hara Masala

Ingredients

3 to 4 lbs boneless chicken (leg and thigh meat)
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch mint 

6 to 10 serrano peppers

1 tbsp ginger garlic 

1 to 2 cups yogurt 

2 medium size red onions
¼ to ½ tsp red chillie powder (optional for more heat)
Oil to taste
Salt to taste

Method

Slice onions thinly and fry in hot oil until golden brown, add ginger garlic and chicken and braise on a high heat for a few minutes.

In a blender, blend cilantro leaves, mint leaves, green peppers, yogurt and salt and add to the chicken. Cook until oil separates and the chicken is tender.

Fried Okra

Ingredients

1 lbs Okra, chopped
1 medium sliced onions
Salt to taste
2 to 4 whole dried red pepper
½ tsp fresh garlic
½ to 1 tsp chaat masala
Fresh chopped cilantro

Method

Heat oil and deep fry okra, when almost done, strain and spread on paper to drain excess oil.

In a pan fry onions, once golden brown add salt, whole dried red peppers, fresh garlic, adding okra and Chat masala. Stir for a few minutes and remove from the pan. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Roast Beef with Greens

Ingredients

5 lbs of beef eye round
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp of oil
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp black pepper powder

Method

Take a large deep pot, put in the beef chunks and top with water until the meat is immersed. Add all spices and cook for 6-8 hours until meat is tender, keeping the heat high until the water reaches boiling point and then let simmer on medium, adding more water if required. Once the meat is tender and the water has reduced to a hearty gravy take of fire.

Slice and pour hot gravy on top, garnishing with peas, potatoes or any vegetable of choice. This is a great left over for sandwiches also.

Sides

I also served a side vegetable of green beans with potatoes, a wonton and lettuce chicken salad, a green tomatoes onions and green pepper salad, raita, with a side of naan and rice.

God bless Pakistan and our boys wearing green in Australia. Go Green!

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—Photos by Fawad Ahmed