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Homemade family-favourite Indian and Arabic recipes

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.

  • kerala style egg puffs
    Kerala style spicy masala egg puffs
  • A saucepot of Afghani chicken curry with chicken leg quarters.
    Afghani Chicken Curry
  • two mugs of chai
    Chai for Two
  • Tuna cutlets with ketchup
    Tuna Cutlet Recipe (Kerala Style)
  • A plate of bliss energy balls with dates and nuts.
    Date Energy Balls without oats
  • chicken chettinad curry recipe
    Chicken Chettinad Curry
  • baked samosas
    Baked Samosas
  • cream kunafa
    Cream Kunafa

Popular Recipe Categories

  • Arabic Dessert
  • Arabic Savoury Snacks
  • Arabic Bread
  • Indian Savoury Snacks

Looking for something?


Most Popular Recipes

  • kacchi mutton biryani served with yoghurt, pappad and onions
    Kacchi Mutton Biryani
  • chicken chettinad curry recipe
    Chicken Chettinad Curry
  • salted biscuits stacked flat in a round plate next to two mugs and a kettle
    Galettes Bretonnes | French Butter Biscuits
  • kafta bil sanieh casserole
    Kafta bil Sanieh
  • sambousek
    Sambousek
  • Varutharacha Malabar Chicken Curry | Chicken Curry with Roasted Coconut Sauce
    Varutharacha Malabar Chicken Curry | Chicken Curry with Roasted Coconut Sauce
  • A bowl of green gram curry
    Cherupayar Curry with Coconut
  • A plate with baked musakhan rolls stacked and served with salad.
    Musakhan Rolls (Sumac Chicken)

Dessert Recipes

Who is not sweet-toothed? Discover desserts for both small and large occasions that will satisfy your sweet cravings.

  • A close up of the Om Ali dish with the spoon.
    Om Ali Recipe (Mini Croissants)
  • Tiramisu with cream cheese served in dessert plates.
    Tiramisu without Mascarpone (No Eggs, No Alcohol!)
  • sheer khurma recipe image
    Sheer Khurma Recipe
  • Chocolate Brownies with Avocado pieces
    Chocolate Brownies with Avocado

See more dessert recipes →

Seasonal favourites

  • kafta bil sanieh casserole
    Kafta bil Sanieh
  • goulash recipe
    Beef Goulash
  • slice of banana plum bread with halved plums and forks
    Chocolate Plum Banana Almond Bread
  • a bowl of oatmeal porridge with brown butter, fruits and nuts
    Brown Butter Oatmeal Porridge

About Famidha Ashraf

I'm Famidha, a chai lover, an Indian in the UAE, a 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 →


Fresh Fig and Balsamic Easy Homemade Jam n a jar.

Reader's favourite recipe!

Balsamic Fig Jam

★★★★★

One reader commented: "I made this recipe last year to can for holiday gifts. I got so many amazing compliments, and I will be making this year's batch on Sunday. It was very easy and so delicious!"

Get the recipe →

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
  • kousa sweet quick bread recipe
    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

New Recipes

  • A tray of vellayappam with a bowl of stew.
    Vellayappam Recipe with Yeast
  • Keema biryani rice with herbs, and lime garnishes on a white decorative plate.
    Keema Biryani Recipe
  • Fried shami kababs with onions and lime on a blue plate.
    Beef Shami Kabab Recipe (Instant Pot)
  • aloo paratha recipe image
    Aloo Paratha Recipe for Beginners

Current Favourites

Recipes that are gaining readers.

  • chickpea sundal recipe
    Chickpea Sundal
  • A bowl of green gram curry
    Cherupayar Curry with Coconut
  • mutabbaq
    Saudi Mutabbaq | Meat Parcels
  • sweet bombay toast recipe
    French Toast | Bombay Toast
Mr.F and Famidha

Hey, I'm Famidha

An Indian chai lover in the UAE. As a passionate food blogger, I share a diverse collection of recipes spanning the Middle East and South Asia. With each dish, I aim to spark your culinary curiosity and encourage you to try new flavours and cooking methods.

about me

Popular

  • vermicelli pudding in a tall tumbler.
    Vermicelli Pudding with Condensed Milk
  • A bowl of roasted capsicum dip garnished with walnuts, pomegranate arils, mint leaf and olive oil.
    Mhammara (Roasted Capsicum Dip)
  • An open jar of Indian lime pickle.
    Lime Pickle without Water
  • thalassery chicken dum biryani recipe
    Thalassery Chicken Dum Biryani

Updated

  • A bowl of kim me veze served.
    Kima with Eggs (Kimë me Vezë)
  • A platter of deep fried neypathal ready to serve.
    Neypathal – Malabar Deep-Fried Rice Bread
  • chicken dawood basha
    Chicken Basha - Lebanese Meatball Stew
  • deep fried ripe plantain fritters
    Pazham Pori - Mom's Ripe Plantain Fritters

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