A plating shot of the pulao in Birmingham (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
For many South Asian immigrant families in the UK, culture and heritage are vital connections to sustain with their homeland. Most of these connections are maintained through food and traditional recipes. Several British South Asian women have shared their culinary journeys.
Apsana Khatun
Chef Apsana Khatun, a native of Bangladesh, hails from the close-knit South Asian community of Birmingham. In her mother's kitchen, she imbibed invaluable culinary traditions that shaped her passion for cooking. Among the family favorites is the beloved dish of Chicken Qorma.
Watch how Apsana makes her family's traditional Chicken Qorma recipe.
Apsana Khatun's Chicken Korma (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Rozma Bi
Rozma Bi is a loving grandmother, who journeyed from Dadyal, Pakistan to Birmingham at sixteen. Her culinary prowess began from making flatbread chapatis with her mother to collecting prized recipes from her aunts. One of these is a sweet, milk-based dessert, known as Rasmalai.
Watch our video on Rozma Bi to learn how to make Rasmalai
Rozma Bi's Rasmalai (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Mehr-un-Nessa
From the region of Attock, Mehr-un brought with her to the UK a treasure trove of flavors from her homeland. At a young age, her mother's traditional recipes nurtured a passion for cooking. Chicken Karahi is among these dishes, retaining succulent flavors and tender textures.
Mehr Un Nessa's Chicken Curry (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Najma Khan
In the town of Bosley Green, UK, resides Najma Khan, whose roots trace back to Lahore and Mirpur. Among the delicious dishes of Najma's childhood is the Chicken and Okra dish, a culinary gem passed down to her by her mother. Today, she lovingly prepares it for her own children.
Najma Khan's Chicken and Okra (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Watch our video to see Najma's cooking process.
Sadia Bashir
Sadia Bashir's culinary journey began at age 14, in the heart of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, where she began cooking under the guidance of her mother. Her love for cooking began with the craft of preparing traditional Pakistani kebabs, a recipe she has now taught to her own daughter.
Sadia Bashir's Chicken Kebab and Green Chutney (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
Watch our video on how Sadia prepares kebabs
Shaista Parveen
Shaista, born in Birmingham with her parents hailing from Dadyal, Kashmir, made the UK her home in the 1970s. As a passionate cook, she takes great pleasure in preparing meals like lamb pulao for her children, documenting for them recipes that she inherited from her mother.
Watch our video to see how Shaista prepares Lamb Pulao
Shaistah Parveen's Lamb Pulao Rice and Yogurt Chutney (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation
W.M.Legacy - UK Partner’s Team:
Director of Operations: Dawn Carr
Office Manager: Apsana Khatun
Women’s Engagement Worker: Shamsun Choudhury
Administrative Assistant: Taiba Aqeel
Videographer: Sheikh Shah Nawaz
Video Editor: Shayan Gill
Photography Editor: Faizan Ali
Colour Grade: Azeem Charania
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.