Karachi is the commercial hub, port and most populous city in Pakistan, with nearly 20-million people. It is a cosmopolitan city that generates 70% of the revenue for the country. Still, traditional Pakistani food is still dear to the hearts of Karachiites: and showcases Pakistan’s cosmopolitan history as a part of the Silk Road trade in spices and good.

Nasir Zuberi, a long-time Karachi resident and caterer, has put together a meal comprising of Karachiite favorites. These authentic dishes are not only part of regular home meals, but also served on special occasions — like tonight’s dinner at The Depanneur.
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Dal $6
Dal (Lentils) are an integral part of every home in Pakistan, cooked in myriad different ways, but especially popular in winter as a warm and comforting soup. This traditional recipe, a mix of moong & masoor dals, is cooked with onion, tomato, fresh garlic & ginger and topped with a special seasoning of roasted cumin and mint.

Vegetable Karahi $13
A Karachi speciality of mixed vegetables —potato, green peas, fresh tomato — cooked in wok with Nasir’s special homemade spice blend, garnished with fresh ginger and coriander. Served with aromatic basmati rice infused with whole garam masala & fresh herbs, and a cucumber and mint yogurt raita.

Hara Masala Chicken $13
Hara (Green) masala – a distinctive green “curry” made with fresh green herbs is an exquisite dish rarely seen in Toronto. Fresh chicken quarters are marinated overnight in yogurt, coriander, mint, green chillies, and a homemade spice blend. Garnished with fresh ginger and served with aromatic basmati rice infused with whole garam masala & fresh herbs, and a cucumber and mint yogurt raita.

Combo Plate $16
Vegetable Karahi + Hara Masala Chicken with basmati rice & raita

Meethi Seviyan $4
This vermicelli halwa (sweet) is a very Traditional Pakistani dessert, often prepared on special occasions such as Eid. Thin wheat noodles are cooked with ghee, sugar, green cardamom and warm spices, and garnished with crushed almonds.

Small Prix Fixe $22
Dal + Vegetable -or- Chicken + Sweet

Large Prix Fixe $24
Dal + Vegetable & Chicken Combo + Sweet
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Nasir Zuberi was born in Karachi, and successfully ran a catering business there during the 1990s. He’s now based in Toronto and in the process of setting up a new catering business. He has passion for food and traditional home-style recipes.
Nasir’s extensive travelling across the Middle East, Africa, CIS and Indian sub-continent as a Product & Business Development professional has exposed him to many different cuisines, but his favourite remains traditional Pakistani food.
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Every Thursday The Depanneur is an ‘open mic’ night for culinary talent in TO, where we invite guest cooks, amateur or professional, to come and make their favourite dishes.

Learn more about our Drop-In Dinners