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    Homemade family-favourite Indian and Arabic recipes

    Welcome to But First Chai blog, a place where you can find well-written small-batch recipes perfect for a family of two with great appetites. Recipes from around the globe but focused on South-Asian and Middle Eastern food. All recipes here are tried and perfected for two or three in my tiny kitchen.

    Trending Recipes

    These are my tried, tested and loved-by-you recipes. It makes me super happy when you share your feedback. If you are new here, start with my Chai recipe.

    • two mugs of chai
      Chai for Two
    • baked samosas
      Baked Samosas
    • kacchi mutton biryani served with yoghurt, pappad and onions
      Kacchi Mutton Biryani
    • kafta bil sanieh casserole
      Kafta bil Sanieh
    • salted biscuits stacked flat in a round plate next to two mugs and a kettle
      Galettes Bretonnes | French Butter Biscuits
    • Dates and Nuts Energy Balls
      Date Energy Balls without oats
    • saleeg rice
      Saleeg
    • coriander mint chicken curry recipe
      Hariyali Murgh Korma | Chicken in Mint Coriander Yoghurt Sauce

    Browse recipes by...

    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Middle Eastern
    • Curries & Stews
    • South Indian

    Dessert Recipes

    Who is not sweet-toothed? Find desserts for small and big occasions that will satisfy your sweet cravings.

    • kaak el eid cookies
      Ka'ak el Eid | Date Paste Cookies
    • chocolate salami served in a round plate.
      Chocolate Salami without Eggs
    • a plate of chocolate date balls
      Chocolate Date Balls
    • Greek Ekmek Kataifi using Custard Powder

    See more dessert recipes →

    Savoury Snack Recipes

    I am more savoury than sweet so these are all my favourite savoury snacks! Serve them as appetizers or mid-day breakies.

    • kanda poha recipe
      Kanda Poha Recipe
    • arayes stacked
      Arayes
    • sambousek
      Sambousek
    • sweet potato black bean burger
      Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger Patties

    See more savoury snack recipes →

    About Famidha Ashraf

    I'm Famidha, a chai lover, Indian in UAE, Hooman of two cats, a Malabari who loves Tamil food and the cook cum writer behind But first Chai. He is Mr F, my husband who gets to taste whatever I cook. We eat off the couch while streaming our favourite shows with the furry boys.

    Learn more about me →

    Sweet Bread Bakes

    Some popular sweet quick bread recipes are not just banana bread.

    • ripe plantain muffins recipe for 5 muffins
      Ripe Plantain Muffins | nenthra pazham muffins
    • Baby Marrow Loaf bread
      Kousa Sweet Bread | Baby Marrow Loaf
    • Dominique Ansel Banana Bread
      Dominique Ansel's Banana Bread
    • A stack of bread slices
      Zucchini Buttermilk Bread

    See more quick bread and muffin recipes

    Recently published recipes

    • A bowl of tomato onion chutney with a serving spoon.
      Tomato Onion Chutney
    • A bowl of coconut tomato chutney with freshly tempered with tadka.
      Tomato Coconut Chutney
    • Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
      Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
    • machboos rubyan served in a large platter along side a bowl of salad.
      Machboos Rubyan (Prawns and Rice)

    Recently Updated

    Recipes that have gone through some minor or major updates.

    • A plate of four savoury french toast layed stacked.
      Savoury French Toast | Spicy Bombay Toast
    • An open jar of Indian lime pickle.
      Lime Pickle without Water
    • A bowl of cucumber salad with a small bowl of roasted peanuts by the side.
      Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad
    • A olive green bowl filled with mutton kosha.
      Kosha Mangsho | A labour of love

    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Famidha, a chai lover, Indian in UAE, Hooman of two cats, a Malabari who loves Tamil food and the cook cum writer behind But first Chai.

    More about me →

    Trending

    • baked samosas
      Baked Samosas
    • two mugs of chai
      Chai for Two
    • kacchi mutton biryani served with yoghurt, pappad and onions
      Kacchi Mutton Biryani
    • cream kunafa
      Cream Kunafa

    Seasonal

    • yemeni chicken mandi recipe
      Yemeni Chicken Mandi | Baked Smoky Chicken Rice
    • A pot of Emirati chicken and vegetable stew called dajaj salona
      Dejaj Salona | Emirati Chicken and Vegetable Stew
    • a skillet filled with daoud basha
      Daoud Basha | Lebanese Meatballs in Tomato Pomegranate Molasses Sauce
    • Dominique Ansel Banana Bread
      Dominique Ansel's Banana Bread

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