Hi there! My name is Sarah (pronounced Saa-Ra) and I am a Pakistani Food Blogger and mom of two living in Canada who shares her love for cooking Pakistani "ghar ka khana" and baking at Flour & Spice. Whether it is traditional Pakistani recipes, the best desserts or that fantastic burger, I believe in simplifying cooking without sacrificing flavor.
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A Lifetime of Pakistani Kitchens
I have often said I come from a long line of practical women, but as I get older I feel privileged to have also been educated in a wide variety of Pakistani kitchens. In each and every one I learnt something that stayed with me.
In my mothers Jeddah years I watched and learnt how to cook smarter, where to cut corners and where not to. In my nanis (grandmothers) kitchen I learnt about balance, when to use a heavy hand, when to let the ingredients speak for themselves. From my aunts I learnt how flavour varies as each created a different kind of magic out of thin air.
To this day the everyday magic wrought in these Pakistani kitchens holds me in it's thrall.
My approach: authentic flavor, zero unnecessary fuss. My family has always cooked smart, not hard - freezer-prepped masalas, shortcuts that don't sacrifice taste, and "adjust to taste" as a genuine rule, not a disclaimer because the goal here is to help you recreate a palate that speaks to you, not just one that mimics mine. I had enough teachers to know that even within a family palates vary and that's something I truly appreciate.
One of my favorite emails from a reader said that she loved my blog not just for the recipes, but because it taught her to cook Pakistai ghar ka khana and make it her own. That friends is the dream. Thank you for being here and allowing me to share it with you.
What you'll find here: a deep library of Pakistani recipes - a one pot pulao that embodies flavorful comfort, aloo gosht just like mamas, homestyle daals, the perfect shami kebabs - explained the way someone who actually lived this food would explain it, plus the bakes and desserts I love just as much (hello, you dreamy caramel custard). Also what is tea time without a fantastic cake, right?
Happy Cooking!
Sarah
Happily Featured In
- CBC Life for Eid Recipes
- CBC Life for Iftar Recipes
- Brown Girl Mag
- Le Creuset
- NPR
- CBC Sports: Opinion
- Panelist at She Ate Toronto
- Featured in Express Tribune
Note: All the pictures shared on this Pakistani food blog and content in it are my own unless clearly stated otherwise. Reproducing in part or whole without my permission is a violation of my intellectual property. If you would like to include my content in something then reach out and I am happy to work with you!
For questions about that and collaborations email me at flourandspiceblog@gmail.com
Habiba says
Can't believe I've been following your blog/instagram and only JUST read this! What a stunning photo Sarah 🙂
sarahjmir says
Thanks Habiba! All photo credit goes to the talented people at Blue Pepper photography 🙂
This Cake is Desi says
Well first of all you and your daughters are gorgeous. I have four and they are a blessing. Second I'm so glad that I found your blog and the food and recipes look so good. Im sure I'm going to learn alot.
All the best wishes to you Sarah.
sarahjmir says
You are so so sweet - and girls really are wonderful...until about the teen years I suspect 😉
This Cake is Desi says
Hahah, I have four soo umm.. all I can say is that it gets interesting when they hit the teens. But my daughters are like my best friends.:)
Aruna Panangipally says
Hi Sarah,
Happy New Year. 🙂
I sent you a couple of emails. Could you check and reply, please?
Aruna
sarahjmir says
Hey Aruna, I just did - am also thinking I need to change the password on my phone so that my girls stop using it!
Aruna Panangipally says
😀 😀
Jahangir Alam says
I have impressed to see your dishes, very appreciative and admire . Congratulations
Aruna Panangipally says
Hi
Tim Cook says
What a well written blog. I applaud you.
sarahjmir says
Thank you Tim! I really appreciate it!
Linda Creation says
Wooow Sarah you has an amazing blog and I m glad I stop by today congrats dear 🙂
My Kitchen Moments says
Hi Sarah, Congratulations… I have nominated you for the Dragons Loyalty Award. Please collect it at – https://mykitchenmoments.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/many-more-awards-and-a-note-of-thanks-to-all/
radhikasethi says
Hello Sarah! I have nominated you for the Leibster Award! 🙂 If interested, please check this link
https://mytrystwithbaking.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/my-first-blogger-award/.
Regards,
Radhika
sarahjmir says
Thank you so very much Radhika! I have a busy few weeks coming up, but will try and pass it on!
illcookyouwash says
Hey Sarah! So here are the details for the tour:
Step 1:
Say a little something about how you’re involved in the tour and link to the blog post that featured you last week.
Step 2:
Answer the following 4 questions:
1. What am I working on?
2. How does my work differ than others of its genre?
3. Why do I write what I do?
4. How does my writing process work?
Step 3:
Say who is next week (your 3 picks) and give a little bio/shout out with a link to their website.
____________
That's it! My post featuring you will be up on Tuesday. Hope you like it!
Farah.F says
Wow, excited to find your blog...and already loving it! 🙂 cant wait to go through all your goodies.
sarahjmir says
Thank you!
illcookyouwash says
Hey Sarah! I really enjoy following your blog and checking out all of your great recipes. I'd like to feature you in my upcoming Blog Tour Post. Alex at Dinner Daydreams http://dinnerdaydreams.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/blog-tour/ recently featured me in hers, and now it's time for me to feature some of my favourite blogs. If you're okay with it, I'd list you as one of the featured bloggers in the post, and then you'd do a post next week and choose your three. Looking forward to hearing from you!
sarahjmir says
Am I late for this? So sorry! Somehow I don't seem to be getting email alerts anymore :/
illcookyouwash says
Hey no, you're not. I only posted a few days ago :). Are you interested?
love in the kitchen says
Hi Sarah!
Zara is such a little beauty. And eating is an excellent hobby by the way! Great to meet you via the blogosphere. Your blog is wonderful.
Lindy
sarahjmir says
Hey Lindy! Thanks so much! Glad you approve of my hobby heheh 🙂
My Kitchen Moments says
Hi Sarah, I’ve been invited to join the “My Writing Process” blog tour and have accepted for June 9th, 2014. This tour rolls out across three new bloggers’ sites each week. So, I can invite three writers to carry the tour forward. It would require you to answer a few questions and generate a post. Your date would be June 16th, 2014. Please let me know if you’re interested and can participate for June 16th. If yes, then in my June 9th post, I will mention your blog! Can you let me know if you would like to participate?– Aiswarya.
sarahjmir says
Hi Aiswarya - I am so sorry to be getting back to you so late, but I don`t think I will be able to, it is looking a little crazy here for the next little while 🙁 Thanks so so much for thinking of me!
Jhuls says
Sarah,
I may be busy with life and work the past weeks, but I am happy that finally, I am passing this ‘Versatile Award’ to you. Whether if you are participating or not, the award is yours to keep. Please click the link for details: http://thenotsocreativecook.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Wishing you a lovely day!
xx
Jhuls
PS: Did you get my email address? I replied to your message on the contact form. 🙂
mysimpledelights says
Hi Sarah! Thank you for the follow on my blog, about to have a nosey on yours too and look forward to connecting with you! Farianti ?x
sarahjmir says
Hi Farianti! Delighted you came by 🙂