Hello and welcome to Fatima Cooks!
I am Fatima, the cook behind all the recipes you'll find here. I'm a mother of two not-so-little-little one aged 7 and 3, and proud wife to my official taste-testing husband. In my spare time, I drink a worrying amount of coffee, obsess about my garden babies and tbh, just sit in silence because two kids = A LOT of noise.
I was raised in East London (UK) and spent the first 28 years of my life in the same postcode, just around the corner from the famous Green Street. Fed up of the fast-paced life, we uprooted and moved to Nottingham some time ago and have pleasantly fallen in love with it all! But I never miss an opportunity to tell someone new that I'm from London 😉.
I'm a full time blogger and run multiple other blogs and websites. It's a big switch from my educational background in Psychology but hey, if the shoe fits, right?
How Fatima Cooks was born
I'm a meticulous taste-tester, and I really pride myself on sharing Pakistani recipes that are delicious, easy and broken down in a way that helps you become a better cook. And it stems from knowing what it was like on the other side, looking for good recipes and feeling - well, disappointed.
I began food blogging in 2015, a newly married University student living away from my family (and my comfort curries) for the first time. At that point in my life, I had NEVER cooked anything vaguely Pakistani that had ended well...
At the time, there were very few resources, websites and videos online teaching people how to cook the kind of homely Pakistani food I was used to, and craving. It was very frustrating having to sift my way through half-assed, not-so-great recipes and tons of kitchen disasters.
Ultimately, I had to learn things myself, through trial and error. God bless my husband for tolerating the concoctions I came out with.
But alas, it worked out! I got the hang of it real quick and pretty soon it became an obsession. I began cooking twice daily just for the fun of it!
And then I thought, 'Hey, wouldn't it be great if I could write these recipes down somewhere for other people too?'.
And that's how Fatima Cooks came to life.
I began Fatima Cooks to help other people who, like myself, had the best intentions of cooking good food but just couldn't make sense of what was out there. My aim was to break everything down in the same way I wished I could have gotten that information, including pictures and tips.
Since 2015, Fatima Cooks has grown beyond anything I ever could have imagined.
It's visited by thousands of people daily from across the entire world.
I've been interviewed by the BBC and Cooks Illustrated.
My recipes have been featured in BuzzFeed, SBS Food and Dawn News - just to name some!
And the best part? I get messages daily from people who enjoy my recipes and tell me how much they've helped them.
I am so honoured that 2015-me's dream of breaking down and making Pakistani cooking more accessible became a reality.
Want to keep in touch?
If you'd like to see more of my day-to-day life, Instagram is my go-to! You can also sign up for my email newsletter below.
Contact Me
If you'd like to reach out for questions regarding recipes or cooking, please leave a comment on the relevant blog recipe.
If you have a professional enquiry or would like to see my media kit, please email me at hello[at]fatimacooks.net and I will get in touch with you.
With love,
Fatima.
farhana ahmed
Salam, I am from UK. Do you have recipe fro chicken tikka briyani.
Jaxon Parkar
Hi [Fatima],
I hope you’re doing well. I recently visited your website and really enjoyed the food content you share. Your articles are informative, engaging, and very helpful for food lovers.
I’m reaching out because I’d love to explore a collaboration opportunity with your website. I believe we can work together in a way that adds value to your audience through high-quality and relevant food-related content.
Please let me know if you’re open to guest post collaborations or content partnerships. I’d be happy to discuss ideas that fit your website’s niche and audience.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Jaxon parkar]
[Blogger outreach expert]
Bunny Suraiya
Hi Fatima,
I can't seem to find your blog post with cooking details for your Chicken Malai Tikka.
Please helo.
Sandy Govender
Hi fathima glad to hear about u.. I love cooking.. Samoosa sis my passion. I trying to come up with different flavors.
.... Frm South Africa
Mike
Hello. Have you got a Fatima Cooks book?
Leon Paul Gladok
Hi Fatima, have you published any books please, I have been searching and can't find any, thank you Leon.
Khalida
Salaam I need easy fast curries and dhaal recipes I can't see eny here please help me out
Claudia
Hi, I would like to know if in recipes with mutton you mean really the older sheep or rather goat meat? I am asking because I need to know that for a translation of a recipe book. thanks in advance
Zaiba
I want some Pakistani dishes too cook at home every day
Lynn
Hi Fatima, it's such a good thi g I stumbled onto your recipe for Butter Chicken. I made it tonight for my family and everyone loved it. I'll definitely beca follower and will keep you updated as to recipes of yours i try out, as i looooove cooking......so watch this space and keep those recipes coming.....regards and keep well, Lynn
Mohammed
Wow sounds good
MARIA HLONGWANE
Good morning my name is Maria, I want to learn to cook Indian food or Pakistani food
Dan
Please email me a vegetarian potato/onion/tomato curry recipe - thanks
NA
Good evening
What can I say? I made the Keema - twice - no food poisoning, totally edible and good flavour! Believe me for me that is a result. Will be cooking Pakstani food more often - with your guidance of course! I can officially cook!
samia yaqoob
nice all recipy
and i want to do this work in home you can help me please
Ali raza
hey i like your blog about cooking . very well good job
Azmath
Looking for chicken with mixed tarkari recipe please.
Mare
Looking forward to receiving your recipes. They look wonderful on your site.
Fatima Cooks
Thank you!
Jahan
Salaamaulaikum Sister Fatima,
I was once looking for Karahi recipe on Google. Guess what? I found yours. Further, I found great recipe for Hyderabadi Biryani as well in here.
All in all, my buddies and I was going for 10 days tent camping in North West of US while driving for 19 hours. Yeah we was crazy enough to drive that far. After all if I was cooking Karahi or Biryani or Kebabs, needed to to ensure I had all the essentials. I am not a cook but cooking is just a hobby from time to time. I wish you long healthy life and I’ll come to your website from time to time to copy haha 😂😂😂😂
An Afghan Brother
Fatima Cooks
Wa alaikum assalaam Afghan brother, I'm so happy to hear you tried my recipe out! That camping trip sounds like a dream. Hope you continue to enjoy (or copy 😏) my recipes!
Azmath
Looking for chicken with mixed tarkari recipe please.
Fatima
Thanks so much - you’re incredibly talented and your recipes have made my life a lot easier.
Please can you publish a recipe book!? (Sorry if this posted twice!)
Fatima Cooks
Hi Fatima!
Thank you so much for your kind words! SO happy you've benefited from my recipes. I'd love to publish a cookbook one day, maybe that'll be my next big project 😁 xx
Fatima
You’re incredibly talented and your recipes have made my life sooo much easier! Thank you so much. Is a recipe book available at all? If not, I think you should definitely consider this!
Sonia Hussain
Salaam alaykum! I’ve been struggling to find recipes that taste good and do not use a ton of spices. I started with your chicken karahi and then chicken salan and will be making more of your recipes. My mom passed away 2 yrs ago and so, I don’t have her anymore to ask.
Can you please share your garam masala recipe? There are so many variations.
Fatima Cooks
Wasalam. I'm so so happy to hear you've been enjoying my recipes - thank you for your kind words! For garam masala, I use this recipe. Hope this helps! x
Farah
Hi Fatima
I have been following your blog / instagram page for a few years now and it is the only place I look to for my recipes!
I love hearing about your dawats and nostalgic memories!
Thank you for the effort you have made so the rest of us could act like we know what we are doing! Haha
Fatima Cooks
Thank you so much, Farah! I'm so happy you've been following along ♥️ LOLing so hard at 'act like we know what we're doing' 😂
Anissa Cheema
Thank you Fatima. Your recipes are spot on and not that complicated. The food turns out delicious. Highly recommend you.
Fatima
You're very welcome - I'm so happy to hear you enjoy my recipes ❤️
Ed
Hi Fatima! Just found your blog and immediately fell in love! I’ve been cooking Indian curries for years happily but have never found any Pakistani specialties that I adore when I am in London. Do you intend to publish recipes for nihari or haleem at some point? I’d walk miles and miles for a good nihari, in fact I have done!
Kind regards and thank you for a lovely blog!
Fatima
Hi Ed! Thank you for stopping to leave a comment - I'm so happy you like my blog! I certainly do intend on publishing a nihari and haleem recipe. It's been urgently on my to-do list to perfect the recipe and I may give it a go soon. Definitely watch this space 😉 London really does take the cake when it comes to the best curries!
Take care and hope you get a chance to try out some of my recipes!
Sabeena
Dear Fatima,
I'm so grateful you created this resource of Pakistani recipes online. I'm estranged from my family and this has helped me reconnect to my Pakistani roots on my own terms. Please keep creating more recipes like this! Your chicken salan and lamb biryani recipe brought a tear to my eye as it reminded me of my mum's cooking.
With real gratitude
Fatima
Hi Sabeena! I'm so happy my recipes have helped you in that journey - it is truly an honour. I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes - and I hope (and plan) to continue writing them!
Take care
Paul
Hello Fatima,
I’ve just discovered you blog and have to say that you have some delicious recipes.
I’m going to cook your Mixed Veg Sabzi tonight but using different vegetables.
I went to my local Asian grocers earlier and came back with some now familiar veg, Tindora, Turia, Long Padwal, Indian Pumpkin and Palak, I also bought veg that I’ve not tried yet. Namely Tinda, Raw Mango, Round Dodi and Patra Leaves.
Not all will be used this evening.
I have a good selection of Spices and a constant supply of fresh Garlic and Ginger, Dals etc. so really looking forward to cooking some of your recipe soon.
Best wishes
Paul
Fatima
Thank you for your kind words!
Haleema Hussain
Hello Fatima. My name is Haleema and I’m writing this on behalf of my mother too. We are just blown away with your recipes. They are authentic and delicious. I have yet to come across a recipe that is as amazing as yours. So simple and packed with flavour. My mum talks about you all day! She says Fatima does it like this. I’ve learnt from Fatima. You have become a regular in our family chats. Thank you so much. We wish you the very best and pray for your good health to continue to make great memories thanks to your wonderful cooking.
Fatima
I’m not crying, I’m not crying 😭😭😭😭😭😭 honestly this was the kindest, most touching comment I’ve read in a long time. I’m so honoured your mum enjoys my recipes and talks about me 😭😭 please send her my salaams and tell her she made my day!
Thank you for your prayers - ameen! I appreciate your kind words ♥️
Aisha
When I want to try something I havent before or unsure of, I always have a look to see if you have a receipe for it!! I know i won't be disappointed! I was so thrilled to recieve your email with kebab receipe, I can't wait to try it! Lots of love xxxx
Fatima
Thank you so much! So happy you enjoy the recipes - hope you enjoy the email chicken kebab recipe too! ❤️❤️❤️
Iram
Thanks so much for your shaljum lamb recipe, I just made it and my family loved it! Absolutely delicious 😋 Just wondered what is the best cut of lamb/mutton for this? As mine disintegrated a little too much. Thankyou 😊
Ruby
I would just like to say that every recipe I have made has come out absolutely beautiful every single time by following your recipes. The butter chicken and mutton karahi recipes are perfect and get so many compliments when I cook them!! All I can say is thank you so much - you are always my go to when cooking!
So happy to have found you and thank you for your amazing work x
Fatima
Brb crying. Thank you SO much for your kind words and for taking the time out to write to me. I appreciate it ♥️
Sameera
You have helped me a lot seriously i am so so so thankful for your recipes mashAllah every time i cook with your recipe it turns out so tasty. Suddenly ive become a pro at cooking all thanks to you😁
Your a life saver thank you! ♥
Fatima
Thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate them!! Allahuma barik x
aneela
Assalam Alaikum madam madam tell me any way when I make bread I make it dry , I can't make it in soft so tell me any way please help me
Asad
Asalamualikum miss App itne great hain na ke buss app se sirf ye shikayat he app ne itne jaldi kyoun shaaaaadi ki
Hahaha soory for this comment
Lekin miss nowadays girls cooking ko zara serious nahin leti hain.
Lekin jo jo lerki education ke sath cooking main expert he Un ki to baat he kuch orr he
Anyways takecare you are the best
SK
@Asad, sweet comment but aap is page pein ayein ho gein to also learn how to make good recipes for your future wife. Aaj kal larkey bhi bhool gayein hein ke unke bhi haath hein aur dish banane mein as Fatima Cooks has shown us, asaan hein aur khana acha bhi bansakta.
Shahid
I made bhunna gosht using beef instead of lamb and everybody loved it
I have tried your chicken recipes too and I like them
Thanks for all your hard work
Fatima
You're so very welcome, I'm so happy you've beneifitted from my recipes!
A
Hey there,
Your recipes are amazing!
I was just wondering whether you have a recipe for the salan that's made with lamb and potatoes and then you break roti and put it inside. It's different then also gosht and I can't seem to get it right 🙁
Fatima
Hey, A! I always just make Aloo Gosht whenever I want to do that, I haven't heard of a salan that's specifically made for this 🤔 Hope you can figure it out!
Sameera
@A, i think you are talking about something like rosh maybe?
Adil
I am extremely grateful to have found your blog. You put great amounts of research and care in your craft and it shows. You inspire me to look at pakistani cuisine in a whole new way. Thank you !
Wish you the very best
Fatima
You're so very welcome, and thank you for your message!
Syed Saifuddin
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
(Peace be on you, with the Mercy of Allah, & His blessings).
I've just made a link for your Lamb Pilau recipe on my site: emeraldmountain.tripod.com/nikah4u.
I'm hoping for a menu change at Bourbon St.Grill that will have Halal Lamb Pilau. In Sha Allah.
May Allahu Khayr-RurRasiqeen accept our efforts, increase your knowledge, bless you in this life & grant us His closeness in the Hereafter. Ameen
Jazakumullahu Khairan
Syed Saifuddin Ali Khan
Eid Mubarak,
Syed Saifuddin
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
(Peace be on you, with the Mercy of Allah, & His blessings).
I've just made a link for your Lamb Pilau recipe on my site: emeraldmountain.tripod.com/nikah4u.
I'm hoping for a menu change at Bourbon St.Grill that will have Halal Lamb Pilau. In Sha Allah.
May Allahu Khayr-RurRasiqeen accept our efforts, increase your knowledge, bless you in this life & grant us His closeness in the Hereafter. Ameen
Jazakumullahu Khairan
Syed Saifuddin Ali Khan
Eid Mubarak,
Julie lee
I have just tried your recipe for the lamb dopiaza, and it turned out absolutely delicious, so now I am going to have a go at making your lamb bhuna recipe, and that also looks amazing, having looked at quite a few other recipes for the same dishes they don’t look as nice as what yours does,
Fatima
Thank you so much, Julie!
elj
For the very first time, I felt that my Pakistani husband genuinely complimented my cooking after following your chicken salan recipe. I usually do not read the story before the recipe but in your case, I find it relevant to cook the dish well. I'm not Pakistani and I don't know how to cook either, so I have struggled to please my husband in the kitchen even after following recipes online diligently. I'm so glad I have found your site and will be trying more recipes for DH. Thank you so much! What else can I say? I am a fan. 😃
Fatima
Thank you so much, I'm honestly so honoured! Thank you for taking the time out to write to me. I hope you can try and enjoy more of my recipes!
Aminah
I enjoy your commentary and delicious recipes!! I didn't know how to cook very well when I was first married and learned what I could from my mother in law before she passed away. Your recipes remind me so much of her, thank you for sharing them!!
Fatima
I am so honoured to hear that. May your MIL rest in peace, ameen <3
sonia
I have been using your recipes for quite some time now. EVERYTIME I have used them they are ALWAYS a hit with my family and friends! Your recipes never fail to impress. I have to confess that when I have tried Pakistani recipes from other online sources they have been a let down.
Thank you for your recipes!!
Fatima
I am thrilled to hear you're enjoying my recipes! Thank you so much, Sonia!
Ahmed
Yasss queen do you support LGBT rights? Me and my boyfriend just cooked your lamb karahi and it is so good! Mashallah! Xx
Farah
Such lovely recipes! Thank you so much. Is there a foolproof one for Roti?
Fatima
Hi Farah! Thank you so much. I've done some roti videos on my YouTube channel and there'll be more coming up soon!
Muazzam
Just made your prawn karahi (without the onions!) and your aloo baingan. All i can say is, even my desi family who are all rabid foodies were blown away by the taste. Normally I don't like my own cooking but found myself licking the plate clean.
Jazakallah Sis, thank you and cannot wait to work my way through your recipes, keema naan next I think 🙂
Muazzam
Fatima
I am so happy to hear that! I hope the keema naan goes well. Would love to hear your feedback on that too!
Joginder Singh
Your blog is so motivating that even novices can cook delicious dishes. It's the clarity and simplicity of instruction that makes cooking a dish a pleasure.
Thanks ma'm.
God bless you
Fatima
Thank you so so much for your support and feedback!
Rachel
Salaams Fatima love this recipe. Have you ever cooked it with Quorn mince? 😁
Fatima
Wsalam Rachel! I haven't actually cooked with quorn myself however I do recall a few people sending me feedback on Instagram saying they tried cooking with quorn and it worked well for them
Joyce ZaffarUllah
I see I entered the incorrect email the other day. I wanted to complement you and thank you for putting your delicious recipes available for our Pakistani cooking enthusiasts. I’ve been manicure Pakistani man for 32 years and have tried to make authentic Pakistani food. The problem is even if you had some of the ingredients correct you never knew the techniques. Nobody would tell you! They would just say boil it with the spices then fry, I never understood it until I read your recipes. So thank you again. I do have a question though if you have double the meat than what your recipe calls for do you double the spices or do you want to and a half times the spices? Please let me know. I would hate to make a dish that has too much spice. Thank you again Sister for all your efforts and putting this blog and website out for All!
Fatima
I'm so happy to read your comment and I'm thrilled my work has been of help!
As to answer your question, I usually double the spices too if I double the meat and maybe hold off on the salt and adjust to my liking. If you're nervous about it, I'd recommend x1.5 the spices and see how that goes.
Hope that helps!
Karen
Cooked this curry last night, amazing we will never have take away again. Thank you so much
Fatima
Thank you, Karen!
Lailah
Love your blog. Love your recipes. So nice to hear your story.
Fatima
Thank you so much!
Nouman Sheikh
Hi Fatima
I can't cook to save my life but I want to learn authentic pakistani dishes as its my favourite food to eat.
I think I can do it, reading your recipes..they seem straight forward.
Thanks for maintaining your blog and Instagram.
Kind Regards
Nouman
Fatima
Thank you so so much. I am sure you can do it - anyone can learn the skill of cooking if they put their mind and heart to it!
Anne Hamilton
Hello Fatima: Hope you and your family are doing well. Your children are at a wonderful age. When I had my first child my mother told me to enjoy this time in my life because when she looked back on her life the happiest she remembers being is when my brother, sister and myself were small children and she was at home with us and we would sit by the window and watch for our father to come home from work and run to him. I took her advice and although my children are now grown I look back on the time when they were little as magical.
Enough about me, I am enjoying making your recipes so much. They are probably not as good as yours but my family enjoys them.
Wishing you and your family good health and happiness always.
Anne Hamilton
Fatima
Hi Anne,
What beautiful words. Honestly, you are right. This time is difficult, but it is also the time I will perhaps look back at fondly as being the best time when I am older.
I'm so happy you and your family enjoy my recipes! Thank you so much for sharing, it makes me so happy.
Best wishes
Ghania Ali
Love your recipes Fatima thank you 😊
Sheerin
Hello,
I hope you are doing well. I was going through your website and I'm looking to expand my reach to the best websites where I can publish content in the form of guest posts or paid posts. I have a team of awesome writers and we write in-depth articles. Our priority is meaningful, informative and relevant content according to your audience's needs. So would you be interested in a guest post or paid post OR Do you accept any form of advertisements on your website?
I'd love to know what you think. 🙂
Regards,
Sheerin
Fatima
Hi Sheerin. Please send me an e-mail at fatimacooks.net@gmail.com. My inbox gets super full, so please title your e-mail GUEST POST or the likes. I do accept guest posts x
Sandra
Absolutely the best receipies online. Please print a cook book.
I made the chicken Salan and Chickpea and Rice, followed recipe exactly and restaurant quality. Thank you Fatima xxx
Fatima
Thank you so much, Sandra! <3
Pau Chung
Hello Fatima
I tried your 'Aloo palak' recipe and it turned out very well. It was an easy and simple recipe which suits me fine as i don't like too many ingredients and long process.
Thank you. I look forward to many more of your recipes.
Sadiqa
Hi Fatima, thanks soo much for sharing your recipies. I came across your website today and made the tadka dal & it was perfect and healthy for Ramadan. I have been looking for this particular simple lentil recipie for a very long time. I don't know how to thank you. I have also been on a journey in the kitchen after getting married and i'm finally improving. It took a very long time!
Fatima
Thank you so much, Sadiqa! So glad the Daal hit the spot 🙂 Hope you try more recipes out too!
Akmal Raja
Greetings,
I was wondering if you could share some fried/grilled home made kebab recipes - lamb and chicken?
Fatima
Hello!
I will definitely try to add some more recipes of that sort in the coming few weeks. Take care and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Arijit Ghose
Fatima cooks is my favorite cook blog. I practically survive thanks to the blog. I started with the Chicken pulao as a mood lifter but slowly and steadily I started cooking other dishes.
The instructions are simple and easy to follow. Also Fatima is quite humorous and brings a smile each time we read the blog.
I refer the blog not only to bachelors like me but seasoned cooks also. Thanks Fatima for being so awesome!!
Imtiaz Saddiq
Love your recipes
Rabiba K
Assalaamu 'alaykum. Some of the yr 10s at LAA told me about your blog and book! Mashaa'Allah well done to you! Inshaa'Allah will try some of your recipes. Jazakillahu khayran for sharing 😁
Mike
Salaam Fatima
I thank you Dearly for you have taught me so much. May the blessings of Allah descend upon you
Yasir
Hey Fatima,
How are you? It's really a nice cooking blog you have.
I just sent you an email but it didn't deliver on your given email address.
Vajeea
Hi Fatima! you got a lovely blog there. Finally got to see it after following your yummy food pics on Instagram for a while. I would love you to visit my blog and give me your feedback. I am new to blogging and would love to hear from you 🙂
Fatima
Hi Vajeea, thank you! Glad you've been liking my Instagram 🙂 I'd love to visit your blog and give some feedback, but you haven't left your blog link!
Vajeea
awww I thought if you click on my pic you would go to my profile which has got the link to my blog. It is http://www.superduperyummcooking.com 🙂
Habiba
Lovely blog, lovely recipes and I look forward to reading more from you!
Fatima
Thank you for your lovely words, Habiba! x
Henna
Salaam Fatima! Just stumbled upon your blog and totally loving it! Can't wait to see the yummies you'll be sharing with us 🙂
Fatima
Wa alaikum as-salaam, so glad you're liking the blog! Hope you continue to enjoy it - I do have some more yummies lined up for the next few weeks, iA! x
Ainy
So sweet Fatima. You are an enthusiastic cook, you have learned and you will learn more with your God gifted passion. I am glad i met you sweet girl. Stay blessed.
Fatima
Jazakillah Khayr, thank you for your lovely words! InshaAllah one day I will get to your level of expertise!