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
Zehra says
Hi Sarah,
I've lost count of how many of your recipes I've made, but they've become a staple in my home. My spice loving husband and my desi food son devour everything I make and it's really thanks to you! I literally don't use any other blogs anymore, if it's not on your blog, it's probably not getting made in my home either 🙂 Please keep them coming!
Sarah Mir says
Ohmigod Zehra - I am SO touched, thank you for this! There's no way I can explain what your kind words here have meant to me - thank you thank you thank you!
Bakhtawar says
Hi Sarah!
I just wanted to come on here and comment that I love your blog! I'm in school and I miss the fun recipes that my mom always manages to whip up during Ramadan - so you're blog has been my go to for trying new things. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I love reading about your backstories per dish and it makes cooking a lot more fun.
Hope you have a great Ramadan, Inshallah!
Best,
Bakhtawar
Sarah Mir says
Bakhtawar!!! I cannot tell you just how much it meant to get this note from you! I also remember being in school and looking up recipes online - back then there were no blogs just two sites and I would pore over them. Sending you so much love and wishing you all the best at school 🙂
asad says
Hello Sarah I tried your Goat curry recipe, outcome was soo yummy and amazing it was my first attempt with goat meat and it comes out so good. Thnx to you sarah .
Sarah Mir says
thank you!
Sarah Mir says
Thank you!
Aslam says
Hi
Do you have a recipe for Lamb Shoulder in the Oven / either in curry or Dry roast with veggies. I have tried the Syrian recipe but it was too bland.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi! We do a mutton shoulder roast but I imagine you can make lamb the same way. Sadly I don't have it up here yet!
Nyasha says
Nice to meet you Sarah, love the simplicity and niceness of your blog! Your daughters are really cute!
If you have the time, I hope you can check out my spicy food website, Nyam with Ny where I post and review dishes from around the world and homecooking!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
thank you Nyasha! Will do!
Tariq says
Keep up the good work. Get yr receipes here in UK. Your Nani sounds like mine did and I am now 82. Recall old Delhi and old Karachi. Cheers
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
thank you so very very much! it means a lot to me to hear that
Mariam says
Jaffff awesome stuff!!!! I wanna try your stuff in person!!!! I do recall brownies u used to bring to school but my taste buds need to be refreshed! Congrats on all ur sucesss!!! Way to go!!!!
❤️
Gokal
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
awww thanks so so much Mariam! Really appreciate the support!
zareen says
Your blog is amazing and a life saver with picky/discerning(?) little palettes! Also really helpful that your recipes are customized to North American lifestyle.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Zareen thank you thank you for saying that! It means a ton to me on so many fronts!
Sarah Gheewala says
Sarah, I just started using your recipes, on the recommendation of my sister, and it is LIFE-CHANGING. Your recipes are so clear, easy-to-follow and have no weird hard-to-find ingredients. I find that certain Pakistani dishes are made differently than their Indian counterparts and its difficult to get those recipes online. I've only had to tone down the heat level for my American friends, but otherwise, perfection. Thank you for posting i just had to let you know what a game changer your blog is.
Sarah G.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
I am so doing my happy dance right now! Thanks Sarah for taking the time out to tell me, this makes my day!
Victoria Stanham says
Can I just say I LOVE your blog!
And can I just ask: how come I only discovered you're a consumate blogger like 2 weeks ago!
I'm already making lists of the stuff I'll be trying out... and then probably won't cook because I've always been the LAZIEST cook ever... so I'll end up sending the link to a friend who DOES cook and ask to be invited to dinner or tea whenever the deliciousness gets baked/cooked.
😉
lin says
You are foodie-aholic perfection, thanks!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
and you are so kind - THANK YOU!
Vajeea says
Hi Sarah! I have visited your blog finally and I am thinking why I didn't earlier...You have got a beautiful blog and lovely recipes. Please do visit mine as I am new to blogging world and would love to get your feedback 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
found you through Sadafs blog and very nice to meet you 🙂
sarahjmir says
Likewise!!!
theextraaamile says
such a yummy blog 🙂 guess I can learn a lot from here 🙂 🙂 Very nice Sarah... 🙂 and btw you have two adorable daughters 🙂
sarahjmir says
thanks so much! I am a little hooked on to your blog now, can't wait to see what you come up with next!