aqsa

all about Aqsa

My name is Aqsa, and I am a Pakistani cook. I moved from Bradford to Bristol last year and was thrilled to finally be let loose in my own kitchen.I grew up in a huge, extended family, watching my mum and aunties cooking for up to 15 people most evenings. Learning to cook from them wasn't always the easiest as they were all intuitive cooks, shunning weighing scales and recipe books in favour of throwing in a handful of something here, and a pinch of something there. As a cook, I am more precise and calculated, meticulously measuring everything and making notes to improve each dish - a concept my mother would never need! But I have taken the traditional recipes passed down to her from her own mother and like the generations before me, added my own touch. Inspiration to personalise these dishes has come from learning more about different types of Asian cooking from chefs who inspire me such as Asma Khan and Atul Kochhar.My day job is working within the Finance Industry as a Digital Manager, and cooking helps me to switch off after being at a screen all day. Food and communal meals are a huge part of Pakistani culture, and I love sharing my recipes with friends and family, inviting them over to sample my latest dishes.

all about my food

I love home-cooked Pakistani comfort food. Big bowls of warm spicy daal, and deep-fried crispy pakoras with a cup of tea. The mouthwatering smell of sizzling spices evokes fond memories of my childhood.The food I would love to share is perfect for wholesome and flavourful yet easy dinners after a long day at work. I will be using spices that my mother grinds at home through a method she was taught in her tiny village in Pakistan. I hope to share the kind of food we eat at home, and bring a little bit of that warmth to your dinner table.