Strawberries have a special place among berry fruits. They are widely admired because of their aromatic and sweet taste. The combination of colour, gloss, texture and fragrance thrills several senses at a time. The cheerfully red, sweet, plump, juicy, heart-shaped strawberry is in fact a member of the rose family. It has long been associated as a symbol of love. Apart from the superfluous look, scrumptious strawberries have numerous health benefits. The abundance of vitamin C, A and K, beta-carotene and potassium in them, protect vision, prevent cancer, arthritis and strengthen the immune system. Strawberries help in decreasing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol. Loaded in folate as well as folic acid, strawberries are good for expecting mothers to prevent spina bifida risks. Once again, the sweetest time of the year to treat yourself and your loved ones is here. I have created this easy dessert just to use these little, scrumptious jewels ― strawberries. My family and friends liked it so much that I have made it again and again merely to enjoy the red berry season. With creamy and velvety textures of glossy strawberries and cake, this trifle has it all to lure you and will make you wish this sweet time of year would never end. As you dig into this treat with your spoon, you will discover a true symphony of sensational flavours. Make sure that you exhibit colourful layers in individual goblets or in a large glass bowl. Your guests will admire your artistry before starting their dessert. Ingredients: Fresh strawberries (sliced)- 2 cups Strawberry juice- 1 cup Icing sugar- 2 teaspoons Pineapple chunks- 1 cup 1 packet of strawberry jelly 2 packets of egg pudding Half a cup fresh strawberries cut into small pieces Fresh cream, softly whipped Sponge cake, medium size Preparation: Sprinkle icing sugar on sliced strawberries and keep aside. Cut cake into equal one inch cubes. Drizzle strawberry juice over cake cubes. Prepare pudding as per packet directions and keep aside at room temperature. Prepare strawberry jelly as per packet instructions. When jelly is ready, add half cup small pieces of strawberries in it and mix well. Cut long stripes of settled jelly and keep them separately. Assembling: Layer goblets or large bowl with cake cubes. Now line up strawberry slices against sides of goblet or bowl. Add a layer of pudding on pre-arranged cake. Add a jelly strips close to sides to make another layer. Now add in pineapple chunks. Make sure they’re hidden in the jelly layer. Add a good layer of fresh whipped cream on the top. Decorate the top with strawberry flakes and a small piece of pineapple. Variations: Custard can be used against egg pudding. Banana can be added instead of pineapples. If you are using a large bowl, repeat the layer formation until you reached top edge. Strawberry jam can be a substitute for jelly, but I would recommend strawberry jelly. Any plain or fruit cake without cream topping can be used instead of sponge cake. Now that you have prepared your yummy dessert, keep it in the fridge for at least two hours before serving. Two hours later, spoil your sweet tooth and enjoy the divine flavours of a velvety dessert! PHOTOS: TANVEER KHADIM Read more by Tanveer here

So Oz the Great and Powerful is out! Sam Raimi’s Oz serves as a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, so don’t expect to hear of Dorothy or of her faithful compatriots, the scarecrow, the tin man or the lion. The reason for this is that Disney does not have the rights to portray any of the characters or mention those infamous red shoes in this movie, as they belong to Warner Brothers. The story revolves around a young and enterprising conman (magician) who goes by the name of Oz (James Franco). A series of philandering events lead him to jump on a blimp as a means of escape, which causes a tornado and that lands him bang in the middle of the magical land of Oz. Here, along with a host of other characters, he is introduced to three witches. The sexy Theodora (Mila Kunis), the radiant Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and the effervescent Glinda (Michelle Williams). (Rachel Weisz as Evanora) Not even the magical mirror could tell “who the wickedest of them all” was. This was definitely a good twist in the tale. (Mila Kunis as Theodora) The one part where Sam Raimi excels in is bringing characters from Oz's time in Kansas and translating them brilliantly in his own fantasy land. However, it’s his lead actors that severely let him down. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD James Franco is disingenuous at best. At no point does one feel the urge to root for him, or feel taken up with his feigned eccentricities. Mila Kunis’s biggest contribution to the tale is her looks and later transformation into the wicked witch! Rachel Weiz is just ordinary and I believe any of Hollywood’s props could have done a similar, if not better job. (Michelle Williams as Glinda) Through Michelle Williams, the audience gets a glimpse into how ‘great’ Oz could have been if the rest of the cast mirrored her brilliance. The lawyer aspect of her character is surely something to marvel at; it doesn’t say much about the two computer generated characters. Finley (the monkey who is voiced by Zach Braff) and a girl made of china (voiced by Joey King) are far more engaging than any of their human counterparts. (The monkey and the china girl) Sorry, Sam Raimi! I wasn’t impressed. All in all, Disney would probably consider around 177 million dollars from the US box office  justification enough for adding Oz to the pantheon of series they currently hold the rights to. It is, after all, a numbers game. If they pay for it, we will make it. I, for one, would be quite happy if they cash in their chips and call it a day on Oz! PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful Read more by Shehan here, or follow him on Twitter @ShehanRayer

Movies based on the judicial system and courtroom dramas have always been admired by cine-goers. It’s not because the audience loves their favourite actors and actresses in black gowns, it’s merely because most of the courtroom scenes are penned exceptionally. For instance, we have a huge list of some amazing courtroom scenes from movies like Damini, Meri Jung, Andha Kanoon, OMG Oh My God, Geraftaar, Veer-Zaara, Shaurya, Maine Gaandhi ko nahin Maara and Aitraz. Photo: Reuters Jolly LLB is also one of them. It is based on a real life case with a few amendments. Subhash Kapoor, a talented entertainer, brings Jolly LLB in front of his viewers in a way that is comical. Yet, on introspection, it is a serious movie with light hearted and situational comedy. Similar to his earlier movie Phans Gaye Re Obama, Jolly LLB also deals with day to day life experiences which one comes across frequently. The strongest points of this movie are the first rate acting, the script and simplicity. Photo: http://www.facebook.com/JollyLLBthefilm The plot of the movie is simple; Jolly (performed by Arshad Warsi) a suffering lawyer, leaves Meerut and arrives in Delhi in search of more cases and professional growth. Luckily, he comes across a case, one which was hyped by the media, and won by Rajpal (Boman Irani) who only manages high profile clients with surety to win the case. Jolly, to earn fame, files a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) claim against the same case and that is the point at which his life changes. Everything changes. As far as the performances are concerned in this movie, everyone excels and shines no matter how large or small he/she has been projected as in the movie - everyone is a star! Arshad Warsi stands out undeniably. For those who remember him as “circuit” from Munna Bhai MBBS, this movie serves as a reminder that he is an equally talented actor when it comes to serious and performance oriented roles. It is great to see that he has now started to sign movies which offer him different kinds of roles, much like the previously released Zilla Ghaziabaad. Photo: File Boman Irani is easy and flexible; he is able to manage any role that is assigned to him with comfort and ease - all traits of a good actor. His character demanded an egotistical, cunning and bullish portrayal and he mastered them all. Saurabh Shukla (as Sunderlal Tripathy) is one of the finest actors you will ever come across. In this movie, there are plenty of scenes where he shows his viewers that he is not less than any other accomplished actor of the industry. In the scenes where he is silent, his expressions speak loud and proud. After all, actions speak louder than words! Amrita Rao (as Sandhya) has a small role, but when it comes to dramatic enactment she has always excelled, as she does in this movie. Photo: http://www.facebook.com/JollyLLBthefilm Ramesh Deo (one of the veterans – from “Anand”) is first rate, though he only has a few scenes in the movie, they definitely make an impact. Brijendra Kala as advocate and Sanjay Mishra as Hawaldaar Ram Gopal Verma have acted well in the capacity of their roles and the same goes for Mohan Agashe. Jolly LLB has great screenplay and dialogue, kudos to Subhash Kapoor for maintaining his command over these departments. “Ajnabi” and “Makhna” are two sing-along-songs that I truly enjoyed and can't get out of  my head! My rating for this movie would be an easy eight on 10! Read more by Shafiq here, or follow him on Twitter @shafiqulhasan81

Finding a desi sweet-dish here in Minnesota is not an easy task, so in order to extinguish that deep craving I had, I decided to make gajar ka halwa at home and fell absolutely in love!  Gajar ka halwa is a traditional Pakistani dessert, made with carrots, milk, butter and sugar. Even with the relatively small list of ingredients, there are different ways of making this dish. Some folks fry the carrots first, and then add the milk. I use my method of cooking the carrots in milk first until the liquid evaporates, simply because that’s how I learned to make it in middle school during our after-school cooking lessons. I doubled the following recipe as I was having guests over. With this recipe, you can get about three to four servings. It’s a very easy and tasty dessert to make and I prefer eating it warm, however, you can serve it at room temperature too. You will need a large saucepan and a wok to prepare the halwa. Ingredients: Whole milk – 5 cups Grated carrots – 8 ounces Cardamom powder – 1 tsp Butter – 6 tbsp Sugar – 1 ¾ cup Raisins – 1/3^rd cup Directions: 1. Heat the milk in a large saucepan on medium heat and add the milk,  cardamom powder and carrots. 2. Stir well and let cook on medium – low heat, stirring occassionally, until the milk evaporates and the carrots are soft – about 30 to 40 minutes. 3. Heat a wok, and add the carrots, butter, sugar and raisins and mix well. 4. Cook for another 15 – 20 minutes or until the butter begins to separate. Serve warm or at room temperature with tea, a cold glass of milk or a spoonful of cream and devour away! PHOTOS: SAFIYA KHAN LOVETT This post originally appeared here. Follow Safiya on Twitter @girlwithchutney

Hook Line & Sinker (HLS) is located in a peaceful upscale neighbourhood of Block 4 Clifton. Rubbing shoulders with Oishi Sushi and China Kitchen, it is Pakistan’s first fine dining seafood restaurant. The catchy name is well complimented by the overall nautical ambiance and hospitality of the staff who, by the way, are dressed up as sailors and mariners. HLS is a breath of fresh air for connoisseurs of high quality fresh sea food. The moment you step in, you are greeted with live jazz music being played by a pianist-saxophonist duo that keeps you entertained, throughout your dining experience with soft music. The entire restaurant is divided into split levels. The ground floor has been carefully designed keeping in mind the necessary aesthetics of a fine dining sea food eatery. This floor gives a full view of the kitchen and men at work. The first floor has an open wooden deck area with a seating capacity of around 25 people and a covered smoking lounge which is adorned with comfortable sofas and a cosy atmosphere. After admiring the ambiance and freshness of the venue we ordered a serving of Chilli Garlic Prawns and Thai Prawn Soup as appetizers which were done to perfection. Our main entrées included a mix of desi and oriental cuisines. From the desi menu we had Sabzwari crabs and sea food Katakat. The crabs were drenched in mild spicy garlic sauce and were mentioned as a recipe from the dastarkhwan of the coastal commanders of Sindh during Mohammad Bin Qasim’s time. The sea food Katakat was equally scrumptious with hot, freshly prepared naan and comprised of fish, shrimps and squid cut into tiny cubes and marinade. Our third entrée was a European delight, a Grilled Red Snapper with Pepperonata which we thoroughly enjoyed along with some refreshing mint lemonades. The server also recommended their Fish Karhai and Lobster Thermidore which we left for our next visit, which will probably be very soon. Among their other specialities which we didn’t try on our first visit are oysters, crab gratin, fish masala, caviar, high graded lobsters and New York cheese cake in dessert. The HLS experience left us with nothing to criticise. From the warm hospitality of the staff to the delicious quality of food and of course the amazing ambiance, I would give them a whopping nine on 10 for an overall 360 degree fine dining experience. They are open for brunch, lunch and dinner with some very interesting deals to offer. Karachi needs more eateries like this - they give true meaning to our beautiful coastal city - its true identity. PHOTOS: Hook Line & Sinker Facebook page. Read more by Arsalan here.

Before reviewing the new Himmatwala, allow me to introduce you to the original 1983 depiction of Himmatwala. K Raghavendra Rao’s Himmatwala (1983) was an experimental film, in which he signed Jitendra, a sinking mega star of the early 1980s whose movies were slumping at the box office back in those days. Similarly, Sridevi was signed because of the limited budget, as she was planning to leave the industry as her career, along with her movies, seemed to have plummeted. Kader Khan, who used to play negative roles, was not getting any movies either, but was signed on for this one. The concept of remaking South Indian movies was very new at the time. So, all in all, it was their hard work and commendable script, along with astounding performances that made Himmatwala a success or just pure luck. I believe it was the former. This movie was the reason the team of Jitendra, Sridevi, Kader Khan, Amjad Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Asrani, who were chosen, after the success of Himmatwala, to launch many other block-busters. The sensation that this movie became was also reason enough to copy it - even after three decades. Sajid Khan’s Himmatwala is a literal copy of the original Himmatwala. He has been quoted stating that his depiction of the movie only has very few elements of the original one; however, if you have watched the original movie, you’ll notice that the dialogues, character names, scenes and the even background music is the same. There are minor amendments; unfortunately, these barely add any weight to the movie.

(Ajay Devgn in one of the fight scenes from Himmatwala)

(Sri Devi and Jitendra in Himmatwala 1983)

(Sri Devi in Himmatwala 1983)

(Tammanaah in Himmatwala 2013)

Our body’s need for self-discipline has gone long ways of showing adverse effects when we do not give it its required dose of physical fitness. Power yoga is perfect for this as it develops our physical flexibility and nurtures strength of mind at the same time. I did not realise the importance of this till I began life after graduation as a working person and took up power yoga classes. Women of all ages come, nanis, dadis, newly-weds, single ladies, and for that one hour or so, they let go of everything else and focus on the moves while easing all their tension during the meditation part. The workout, experienced during power yoga, is intense and utilises the entire body. To hold the series of poses, I have to use muscles in my arms, shoulders, back, legs, feet, and abdomen, which tone and strengthen these muscles. This workout is also a great way to burn a lot of calories, so you can lose weight and build lean muscle tissue at the same time. Basically, the exercise is conducted by doing a series of yoga poses while synchronising your breathing patterns to each movement: this is also known as ‘Vinyasa’. For the observers, the movements may appear soft and free-flowing, comparable to a trance-like dance, but from my perspective, or any other power yogis’, the process of nailing each posture is vigorous. You need to keep pushing and contorting every limb to its limit, while maintaining a strong sense of inner peace and concentration to come into each posture. One of the major physical benefits of power yoga, which I have experienced myself, is the reduction of stress and tension. While it increases strength, flexibility, and stamina — in order to achieve these, you learn to release stress, and relax the body, in order to get each of the poses right. This is very important for those who have to deal with work stress. Finally, one of the key reasons power yoga, in my opinion, should be encouraged for everyone is because of the general improvement in health. This is because your immune system is given a boost and becomes more in tune with the body overall. Toxins are also eliminated from the body through sweat while trying to do the challenging poses. Read more by Marium here

The Middle-earth had its day on screen; it is now the story of Westeros taking the world by a storm, with the launch of season three of Game of Thrones, HBO’s flagship series. Are you watching it yet? For the uninitiated, Game of Thrones (GOT) is among the most watched (and the most heavily pirated) TV shows in the world, based on the books of George RR Martin. If you aren’t following the show, here is a short explanation for what all the fuss is about: The storylines: Everybody loves a good story. Well, GOT has five or six brilliant stories running parallel to one another at the same time. There’s no protagonist. Instead the stories circumabulate the majestic Iron Throne, and depict a free-for-all struggle of different characters in attaining or retaining it. The show leaps on as a series of shrewd political moves, which succeed or backfire in the most shocking and amusing ways possible. The best part about GOT is that there is no distinctly benign party to root for. You can choose your own favourite (mine’s House Targaryen, in case you’re wondering), and hope for its endurance like it’s your sports team. (House of  Targaryen) A visual extravaganza: The show is filmed at exotic sites in Morocco, Scotland, Croatia and several others. The scenes are shot all over the place, from the Tollymore forest in North Ireland to the breath taking Svínafellsjökull glacier in Iceland. And if it’s not the scenery that you’re interested in, you’re sure to be enthralled by the beautifully choreographed battles, painstakingly designed costumes, and spell craft scenes edited to perfection. Strong female characters: If you liked Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, and bemoan the dearth of good non-stereotypical women on TV, GOT offers an abundance of them reining the course of history in Westeros. It’s hardly surprising that the show has a massive female following, despite the original target audience being the ‘male geeks’.   From the honourable, sword-yielding Brienne of Tarth to the remorselessly deceptive Lady Cersei, each one of them comes with a richly drawn personality and back-story. And they’re all portrayed through outstanding performances by the GOT's award-winning cast.   The controversies: Both cheered and booed, but never quite ignored; GOT has a flair for shocking audiences with imagery rarely ever seen on television. A good example of it would be George W Bush’s head on a pike in the finale of the first season. Oh boy, that raised a ruckus! Inspiring sub-plots: Certain characters come with sub-stories that transcend the fantasy world of Westeros and directly address our current social environment.   Tyrion, the fiercely witty member of House Lannister, is a ‘little person’. He is occasionally mocked for his short height with terms like ‘imp’ and ‘dwarf’, but deals with all adversity with true gravitas. He advises another genealogically disadvantaged character in the series to wear his weakness ‘like armour’, so that none may be able to bully him for it. In an industry where little persons are usually featured for little more than degrading physical comedy, Peter Dinklage’s key role as Tyrion is a breath of fresh, politically correct air. The moral of his story can be best expressed in the words of the Master of Whispers,

“A very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

They say good laughter is a form of internal jogging, so when was the last time you laughed out really hard? You know, the uncontrollable, hearty kind of laughter that leaves you appreciating the object that triggered it? Yup, that kind. I laugh out loud every time I watch ARY Digital's drama serial Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah. Though many people I know are quite skeptical about the authentic humour it contains, I admire it for the realistic portrayal of events that the socio-economically lower class witness in their everyday lives. Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah is a comedy drama serial which aired for the first time in 2012, on ARY Digital. Just after its first premier, it became an enormous success among those who turn on their televisions for light-hearted dosage of laughter. There are multiple reasons behind the massive success of this serial: An inimitable story line: This drama serial has a unique story line which is entirely different from what we usually see in Pakistani dramas. It is written as a follow-up series to the popular telefilms by Fasih Bari Khan; he usually manages to write stories really well. Plot outline: The drama serial is based on a story of two families that share a house; one family resides on the ground floor, while the other one lives upstairs. The landlord is Aleemuddin, who lives upstairs with his family. His family comprises his wife Nanhi, a divorced daughter Bhunarya, a son Maqsood and a daughter-in-law Rooh Afza. Aleemuddin's senility never gets in the way of his flirting. He loves to hit on the neighbours' daughter and has even married the youngest one! The widow of Quddusi Sahab, Shakooran begum lives downstairs as a tenant with her three daughters, Badriqa Jahan, Khajasta Jahan, Shagufta Jahan and a son Wudood Ahmad. (The very effeminate Wudood Ahmad, son of Shakooran) Aqeela bhabhi who portrays the character of a gossipy bee jamalo is their neighbour and a good friend of Shakooran. (The "Amma" (Shakooran Begum), known for her generous use of archaic Urdu proverbs) Shakooran likes to keep an eye on her daughters because they're all boy-crazy. She often bribes Aqeela Bhabi to spy on her daughters. (Shakooran's shy daughter, Badriqa Jahan, who is a principal at a government school) Saturated amalgamation of Urdu language: This is the prime reason for my admiration of this brilliantly scripted serial. It takes you back to the old days when every character in our drama serials was scripted in saqeel  (difficult) Urdu, that represented the simplicity and modesty of Pakistani culture. This serial was able to move many hearts by conveying our national language in its original form. Picture-perfect direction: Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah is directed by Mazhar Moin who is famous for his work - examples of Mazhar Moin's excellent direction include Shakoor Sahab, Saray Ghat Ki Farzana, Bawli Bitiya, Pichhal Periyan, Ronak Jahan Ka Nafsiyati Gharaana and Burns Road Ki Nilofer. I recommend you watch all of these dramas! One woman show: Hina Dilpazir’s phenomenal performance takes the cake. Her work in this particular drama serial is worthy of applause. Watching her switch multiple roles is hilarious. The way she plays the role of women of every age and mindset is absolutely amazing! Sometimes viewers forget that it is the same person playing so many characters. She plays Shakuran Begum, Badraka Jahan, Rooh Afza, Bengali baji, Nazima Khatoon (Aleemuddin's sister), Nazeer Khan (clumsy/ill-mannered street rat), Tina Gul (Rooh Afza's mother), Elaichi (a transgender) and Tamizini. Out of all the roles that she plays, the role of Rooh Afza stands out. She represents the attitude of a woman who feels young at heart and is full of self flattery. Her best-friend is the neighbour's son Wudood Ahmad, and they often indulge in sessions of fashion and make-up talk. (The neighbours' daughter-in-law, Rooh-Afza, a gawdy self-proclaimed "glamour girl") Despite her poor English language skills, she is able to speak in English confidently and loves to gossip. Other actors like Shahnaz Pervaiz (Khajusta Jahan), Hassan Ali (Safaid aadmi), Uroosa Siddique (Shagufta Jahan), Maqsood Bhai (Maqsood), Waqar Hussain (wadood), Ubaida Ansari (Nanhi), Hira Sheikh (Bhunarya), Badar Khalil (Aqeela Bhabi), Mirza Shahi (Aleemuddin Sahab) and Sajal Ali (Farzana) add to the on-screen madness. Each of the characters play their role to the fullest. The drama has me laughing till my stomach hurts every Sunday. It's a must watch! PHOTOS: PUBLICITY Read more by Rakshinda here.

It seems Bollywood is on a remake spree. A weekend after the release of the Himmatwala remake we are offered Chashme Baddoor, a remake of a 1981 comedy of the same name. While with remakes, one inevitably ends up comparing it to the original, I am going to try and be fair to the 2013 movie, and not pitch the two versions against each other. Chashme Baddoor  is an out-and-out David Dhawan comedy – full of cheesy shayari (poetry), slapstick (and sometimes over the top comedy) and exaggerated situations. This is not a movie for those expecting any form of sense in the on-goings, while the mindless entertainment seekers will find this movie to be right on the money for sure! The story is a shallow, no-brainer – three friends fall for the same girl and when the girl falls for one of them, the other two try to first separate them and then bring them back together. To add to the onscreen masala, we also have Rishi Kapoor and Lillete Dubey falling for each other at first sight, Anupam Kher and Anupam Kher (double role) fighting each other and their whacky mother! In the music department, Chashme Baddoor  is weak and chaotic at best. “Har ek friend kamina hota hai” is its strongest track, but in the movie it does not come till the end titles. “Early Morning” and “Dhichkyaaon doom doom” are at best hummable – and all the other tracks are just super forgettable! As per box office reports, the movie has collected over 19 crore on the first weekend in India and as per Hammad Chaudhry, the film’s distributor in Pakistan (HKC Entertainment) on Twitter; “Chashme Baddoor  opened ‘zabardast’ in Pakistan with 47, ooo (on) day one including limited preview screenings Thursday late night.” Let’s weigh the good against the bad in Chashme Baddoor  and see how it fares.

• For us in Pakistan, the good has to be Ali Zafar. He looks good and does a pretty decent job as the leading man. However, on occasions (where he is looking for his inner Dev Anand) Ali sounds awkward – but who cares as long as he keeps the flag flying high!

• Siddharth and Divyendu Sharma, as Ali’s jealous friends, have a fantastic screen presence and good timing for comedy – and in reality carry most of the movie on their shoulders. This could have been because they were given the meatiest scenes and dialogues but their acting was what actually pulled us through.

• The film has some entertaining moments, its share of witty one-liners and some good jokes. I did find myself laughing many times while watching the film.
• The promotions of the film were spot on – funny, colourful and enticing – exactly what is needed to hook the Gennex audience to buy the tickets.

• For starters, the leading lady, Tapsee Pannu, who three boys have supposedly fallen for has zero on-screen presence, looks or charisma. In fact she is completely forgettable other than her constant “Dum hai boss …”

• The lead pair has zero chemistry. Ali Zafar and Tapsee Pannu’s love story can at best be called lukewarm and sadly not too happening.

• The flow of the movie is patchy and personally I account this to weak editing more than anything else.
• I found the humour to be slapstick in nature and many of the jokes were extremely sexist too. Bollywood continues to objectify women, as usual.
• In terms of music - which is the backbone of any Bollywood flick - Chashme Baddoor  is not the most memorable ride either.
• For the fans of the original Chashme Baddoor  – this will be a major disappointment, because this is nothing like the sweet and tender story where Farooq Sheikh romanced Deepti Naval.

Be it in the form of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) or a cloned recipe, fried chicken has literally taken this world by storm. What can we say, it is finger lickin’ good and we all love to indulge in some from time to time! For most of us though, we’d prefer making it at home. I’m in love with the extra-crispy recipe that KFC has and I have tried hunting for a good clone for ages. Unfortunately, all the recipes that I have tried so far don’t quite come up to par with the original. After all the experimentation with what works and what doesn’t (cornflakes and a wet batter are a definite no no!), I’ve come up with this one recipe, and even though it’s not as good as the original, it is pretty a decent version that is loved by kids and adults alike. I know it’s cliché but I decided to call this Yousuf’s Fried Chicken (YFC). So without further ado, let’s get into the technicalities of what goes into making succulent YFC: Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (with skin) cut into three pieces each OR six drumsticks

• 3 cups water with 1½ tsp salt (also known as brine)

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup cornstarch

• ½ tsp oregano

• ½ tsp MSG (a taste enhancer commonly known as Chinese salt or Ajino Moto)

• ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ¼ tsp white pepper

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup buttermilk (I have used Laban to achieve similar results)

• Oil or ghee for deep frying  (ghee works better)

1. Soak the chicken for about 8-10 hours (ideally) in brine and put it in the refrigerator. I have made the chicken after soaking it in brine for just half an hour and it gets good results too.
2. In a bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, oregano, MSG, paprika, black and white pepper, and salt; mix these well so that the ‘dry batter’ is nice and consistent.
3. Take out the chicken from the brine and dry each piece using a towel.
4. Dip a piece of chicken into the buttermilk (or Laban) ensuring all its sides are properly covered, take out the piece and let all the residue drip back into the bowl.
5. Dip this piece immediately into the dry batter, making sure to coat all sides evenly; give the chicken a slight shake to remove the excess batter before setting it aside on a platter.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 till all the pieces have been coated.
7. Let all the pieces air-dry for about 5-10 minutes so that the coating is hard and dry; this will ensure that the oil doesn't splatter once you put the pieces in for frying.
8. In a deep pan, add oil or ghee and heat it; the oil has to be just the right temperature and to ensure that, add a piece of bread into the oil and it should be brown in about 50 seconds. If you have a candy thermometer, the temperature has to be around 180° to 190° centigrade.
9. Carefully start putting in the chicken pieces one at a time, skin side down (as it takes slightly longer to cook); make sure not to overcrowd the pan and leave some room for the pieces to breathe (or not – pun intended)
10. Flip the pieces halfway through the cooking process so that the other side gets some crunch and colour too.
11. Fry the chicken for about 7 -10 minutes, till it has a crisp golden brown cover.
12. Take all the pieces out on a paper towel to drain the excess grease.
13. Serve immediately with a side of French fries, chili garlic sauce and mayonnaise.

The chance to watch the most awaited play in the theatrical history of Karachi came to me by the sheer luck of getting some free passes, as Rs1500 for a ticket seemed too steep a price. I was greeted by an excited crowd that had gathered even before the gates opened. There was palpable excitement in the air. Everyone was hoping for a worthy show that could make them relive their old memories. Being a die-hard fan of Aangan Terrha and having almost rote-learned the entire show - thanks to the presence of old DVDs in the house - I was sceptical about whether my expectations would be met or not. The auditorium was jam-packed with people even sitting on the stairs. The ushers were smartly dressed in kurta pajama and saris that set the ambiance for the show perfectly. Anwar Maqsood came on the stage just as the clock struck 8:00pm and gave a preamble to the re-adaptation of the show. The curtains were raised to Akbar humming playfully on the stairs and gradually other characters emerged in the 90-minute whirlwind of wit, satire and social comment. Was Aangan Terrha entertaining? Yes. Did Aangan Terrha outlive its predecessor? No. Akbar played by Yasir Hussain: Akbar was, and remains, the highlight of the play. It was a treat to watch his expressions and delivery of dialogue which resonated with Salim Nasir perfectly. His characteristic mimicry, mannerisms and gestures made it worth the watch. Throughout the 90-minute play, he remained the embodiment of tanz-o-mazah (satire) that was the hallmark of his character. He brought the audience laughs, irony, moments of reflection and tears, because you just couldn’t watch the play without remembering Salim Nasir. It is surely hard to step in to the shoes of a giant, and Yasir Hussain not only did that but also managed to skilfully get into the soul of the character. Jehan Ara played by Hareem Farooq: Jehan Ara was entertaining too, but no way at par with Bushra Ansari. Hareem’s delivery of dialogues did not reflect the changes in situation well. The character of Jehan Ara contains many shades - the grumpy wife who is dissatisfied at her luck in life, the suspecting wife whose radars are up for detecting any affairs her husband might have, and the subtle shade of a loving woman who secretly cares for Akbar and her husband. The portrayal fell just a bit short of the mark however, the effort was great. Mehboob Ahmed played by Talal Jilani: Mehboob sahib fell abysmally short of expectations. In the actual play, Mehboob Ahmed is a perfect embodiment of culture and refinement -- what you call “chalti phirti tehzeeb”  in Urdu. This attribute is missing in the present Mehboob Ahmed, probably due to his coarse voice. Some old characters resurface in the play, including Sahafi and Shair (reminding one sorely of Moin Akhtar). Some new additions are introduced as well, like a morning show host Mehbooba. The ambience: The sets - also done by the multi-talented Yasir Hussain - gelled in perfectly with the play’s script. The house reflected its owner’s simplicity and understated lifestyle. The power of the script and intensity of the drama did not bore audience for a second despite the single set and few characters. The play remains brilliant as it was. The dosage of heavy Urdu is reduced, probably to accommodate new sensibilities. In the actual play, even Chaudhry sahib recites perfect Ghalib verses which sound funny due to his way of pronunciation. In the new play, Chaudhry Sahab’s couplets are laden with mispronunciation, in a way to introduce humorous appeal. Besides, ambiguous, suggestive sentences have definitely increased a lot since the last play. The fusion of the old and new indeed made for a great theatrical experience. The play’s unparalleled success also tells us that if a script has relevance and content, it could survive without unnecessary dramatics, songs and cheap tactics. It is good to see that although the Aangan is still Terrha, our youth is creative and entrepreneurial enough to make it livable. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY Read more by Samreen here 

Karachiites love eating and then talking about the food they just ate. Thus, when any new eatery or home delivery service opens up, we want to try it or know from our ‘social’ circle if it is worth trying out. As of late, my Facebook timeline has been full of comments about the Rowtisserie. One patron declared that at Rowtisserie she “had the most delicious shawarmas - never had better ones!” Someone else stated that “the secret ‘Row’ sauce is beyond yum and the Rowtisserie chicken is super healthy.” Since the social media consensus was that everyone ‘loved every bit of (Rowtisserie]’, my husband and I decided to give it a try too. Delivery service: We called up the given number and placed an order of Buffalo Wings and Mezze Platter as starters, and Row Meal IV (full chicken, 4 choices of sidelines and 1.5 liter soft drink for Rs2,195) as our main course. The gentleman on the other side was polite and gave us a 45-minute time period in which our food would be delivered - and they were there on time with warm food! (Delivery motorcycles at Rowtisserie. PHOTO: SAMRA MUSLIM) Menu: The Rowtisserie’s menu is extremely healthy, yet basic – two types of grilled chicken, two types of shawarmas and three kinds of sandwiches are all you have to pick from, basically. However, to be fair, they do give us options in salads, side-lines, and drinks (hot and cold) to augment it. Also, the foodie in me would rather just get one good item from an eatery than a choice of 50 that are all bad, so I’m not complaining! Food: We pleasantly noted that the Buffalo wings we had ordered were not marinated in a bottled sauce. They had been prepared in the Rowtisserie kitchen and this gave the wings a very nice, unique taste. (The kitchen at Rowtisserie. PHOTO: SAMRA MUSLIM) The only downside was that, for the price of Rs395, we expected more than just four pieces of chicken wings. The other starter we had ordered was the Mezze Platter, which included feta cheese, olives, tabouleh, pickle, mutabbal, tzatziki, hummus, pita and grilled chicken. Everything was cooked to perfection (and trust me, I am very finicky about my Mezze). I made two observations: 1. With such a large choice of items, one piece of pita bread was just not enough. I wish the order taker had informed us about this so that we could have ordered at least two more pitas to go with it. 2. The quantity of the Mezze was very small. I especially felt cheated with the quantity of the hummus. Coming to our main course, we had ordered Row Meal IV which included a full chicken with four choices of high-sides (we had ordered Mash & Gravy, Hummus, Pita and New Potato) and a 1.5 litre soft drink. Everything in the main course was perfect. The special treat was the garlic and row sauces that the rotisserie chicken was served with. They were just yummy! The hummus that came as one of the high-sides with the meal was just not in a large enough portion to justify its Rs150 price independently. But overall, the meal was superb. Dining in A dine-in option is also available and I did go to check out the place for lunch and also to have the shawarma (yes, the shawarma which had been calling out to me since I had seen the below photo on the Rowtisserie Facebook page). (Chicken shawarma. PHOTO: Rowtisserie's Facebook page) The restaurant is tucked away in a corner of Khadda market, and has a seating capacity of 12 people at max. To say that it is a very small dine-in place is an understatement, because even with eight guests in there, we had to wait for five minutes for a table. (The dine-in area at Rowtisserie. PHOTO: SAMRA MUSLIM) We ordered the chicken shawarma (we also wanted to try the beef shawarma, but were informed by the serving staff that the management is working on improving it, so it is currently off the menu). (The kitchen and serving staff at Rowtisserie. PHOTO: SAMRA MUSLIM) The chicken shawarma is priced at a hefty Rs425, for a lightweight shawarma, and Rs474 for a heavy one. The meal was served within five minutes of ordering it and the chicken was wrapped in freshly made pita and was served with pickles on the side. I found my shawarma to be a bit dry, but it was immediately taken back and some delicious garlic sauce was added to make it perfect. I wanted to give their chocolate éclairs a try, but sadly they were not available. For a quick and healthy lunch or dinner, Rowtisserie is a perfect choice, and if you are smart when ordering a meal, it can cost you between Rs600-1000 per head. What I rated Rowtisserie: (Rating scale: Five stars, excellent; four stars, great; three stars, good; two stars, fair; one star, poor) Food rating: 4/5 Ambiance: 2.5/5 Service: 3.5/5 Prices: About Rs1000 per head (excluding dessert and drinks). Give it a shot and let me know what you would rate it! Read more by Samra here or follow her on Twitter @samramuslim

Water, flour and salt, simple ingredients? In fact, they are, but magic takes place once you mix them together. Growing up in a Pakistani home, it was natural for me to see dough being kneaded everyday to make roti. I never paid much attention to it. I didn't particularly like eating it either; it had a strong taste because of the whole-wheat flour. Once the dough was kneaded, it was portioned and rolled out with a rolling pin into large discs. Flour was applied while rolling out to avoid the roti from sticking. While all of this was happening, I was preoccupied eating rice. Most kids my age at that time preferred rice, at least I did. Rice is great, there are several kinds of rice which I've grown to adore, but today, it's about roti, our beloved flatbread. After joining culinary school, a portal into the world of food opened before my eyes. I began to appreciate all kinds of food. There are a lot of things that we don't know about food. You can never know enough about food. That's why I love it, there is always something new to learn. Since the discovery of flatbread, mankind has innovated and added their own twists to it- a healthy sign of a creative population. I see flatbread as a piece of history. Rich or poor, young or old, you will all eat the same staple food one time or another. The simplicity of the flatbread reaches a social equilibrium in Pakistan. So what happens when you mix flour with water and salt? I know it combines the ingredients, but something more is happening inside. The flour contains proteins, two kinds of proteins to be exact: Glutenin and Gliadin. When water is added to the equation, it allows these proteins in the flour to activate which form gluten structures. This requires for the dough to be kneaded for a certain period of time. Gluten structures give the dough its elasticity. It won't simply fall apart when you stretch it. The reason why roti inflates like a balloon while cooking is because the gluten structures are well developed. For some flatbreads, well-developed gluten structures aren't necessary. The salt provides flavour and it strengthens the gluten structure. Your humble everyday staple is way more interesting than you think. That's why I keep looking around the kitchen to find something that I can learn from. Writing or talking about bread always makes me hungry. I usually roll myself a fresh roti and have it with condensed milk for breakfast. It’s a better combination with paratha though. Instead of cooking my roti on a dry pan, I can put oil on the pan and guess what? It becomes a paratha. In Pakistan a girl is expected to know the art of making roti. It's about time we encourage the boys to take over the art and let the ladies relax. I live alone and refuse to buy industrialised bread (unless the time calls for desperate measures). My parents have gone past the phase in which they think I'm bonkers; they take pride in my roti making skills. It’s a great achievement for a Pakistani household. I started seeing flatbread differently; more than just something we eat. It’s about time we treat our roti with the respect it deserves. Follow Asad on Twitter @asadaamir1

To make a failed state you can start off by looking for a newly created country. It will help if the state is initially in two parts geographically, separated by a country that has several elements living within it that openly criticise the existence of this state. It will also help if the strategic importance of one wing of this state is immense when it comes to global politics. This will make sure that it remains in the centre of major strategic decisions in the future. Once created, chances are that the leaders who led to its creation will acquire top administrative roles. Let them. The large-scale movement that went in the creation of this state will eventually have a toll on their health, so chances are that they won’t be able to resist the inevitable for long. Once they have departed, start a game of musical chairs within the government. Do not let anyone settle, as this will lead to 'stability'. Temporarily allow these civilians to figure out the best way to run the country. However, do not let them succeed. Almost a decade into existence, make the military intervene and hold the reigns for the decade ahead. And although military rule will be against the principles of the founding fathers of this state, it will get public support as the country will see an economic boom. Let the military stay, because soon after its rule is over, you will observe that one wing of the country will break away and gain independence, taking the help of the negative elements that existed between the two wings since the beginning. A new civilian leader will rise in what remains of this state. He will try to build a global alliance with countries of a similar religion as his - gathering huge crowds of people with his charisma and fiery speeches. He will gain the reputation amongst many of being a genuine leader and not just a politician. Don’t let him continue for long. Play the military card again. And just to make sure that the power of the uniform remains unopposed, hang that leader. The new military regime should use religion as a means of exerting power. It should lock up the religious principle that “there is no compulsion in religion” in some dusty old cupboard. Meanwhile, the regime should extend full support towards a war fought in a neighbouring land by one global superpower, against the other. The support should be based on the basis of -no surprises here- religion, as the military regime should allow millions of refugees with differing mindsets into its own land. What will appear as a benign influx of harmless refugees at first will turn into a catastrophe a decade or two later. Wait and watch. The side on which this state stood in this war will win. Having served his purpose, make sure that the head of state is eradicated “accidentally”. It will now be time to give the civilians another go at running the state. Allow them to do this for another decade, dismissing the elected representatives as soon as the government’s failures start to become evident. Do not allow any of the governments during this time to complete their term. If you allow it, the voters are liable not to repeat their mistakes, which might erode the purpose. While entering the new millennium, another army man should be making all the decisions of the state. The reason being that this state will yet again be needed in a front-line role in a war, this time waged against the country it was asked to support a couple of decades earlier. Now, remember the millions of benign refugees that were allowed to run in the veins of this state at that time? They will get infuriated and will cause havoc! With the purpose of this military man also fulfilled, dispose him off and let the people vote for their new leaders. The dented ideology of the population will lead it astray, and for the next five years, the elected representatives will take the country to its lowest levels of governance and security. Let this government complete its term, and with the new elections coming up, hope that the people will repeat their past mistakes when casting their votes; because if they won’t, this country will rise, not by a bloody revolution fuelled by massacres, but by a process of a slow yet steady evolution, led by genuine elected leaders who’ll truly represent the masses. It will rise far beyond your imaginations, in all fields of development, under the principles established by its religion and its founding fathers, paying tribute to the millions of sacrifices that went in its creation. However, if they do not vote wisely this time, it may prove to be a crucial blow. Let us wait and watch. Read more by Ali here or follow him on Twitter @dralirafiq  ILLUSTRATIONS: IMAAN SHEIKH

Yesterday, I watched the much-awaited film, Chambaili - the first in a long list of Pakistani feature films under production and probably the most hyped movie since Bol that was released two years ago. It is a shame that Pakistanis have to wait for such a long period of time between the production and release of films; that said, the movie is worth the wait. It is far superior to the films produced by our bigger and greater neighbour. Disclaimer- spoiler alert! Chambaili is like no other film. The movie revolves around the political structure of a country - it draws an underlying comparison to the current state of Pakistan, which many hope will be saved by a drastic leader. If only it was so easy in real life... Sarmad's (Ali Tahir) family is at the centre of the political drama. The movie starts with his return to Pakistan from Canada. It is through him that we are introduced to his family and his precious house. His cousin (played by Mahira Khan) is a young, hopeful and adamant woman, who believes in change and preserves posters of revolutionaries to hangs up in the house. The lead protagonists of the movie are Sarmad’s two best friends, Saif (played by Shahzad Nawaz) and Musa Azeem (played by Ehtishamuddin), a journalist. The movie does not provide a ‘warm up’ period; rather, it jumps straight into action. From the beginning of the movie we see Saif being held up in the middle of a political rally (in broad day light) that is held by the Inquilab party while driving with his soon-to-be-wife, Nida (played by Mehreen Syed). Although, some may disagree, but the scene depicted here is unrealistic and exaggerated; Nida’s reactions are over the top and comical. Furthermore, the police refuse to file an FIR against the political party that is governed by Sardar (played by Salman Peerzada), whose grandfather founded the town and had been ruling over it ever since. Although this incident hardly seems to serve as a strong enough motivation to start a political movement, after Sarmads house is ransacked by the Inquilab party, (who wants to buy it) Musa and Saif coax Sarmad into a protest outside the press club and start a hunger strike which eventually leads to the establishment of their own political party called Chambaili. The movie seems to have all its bases covered with strong elements of nationalism, twists, emotional appeal and even a full out mehndi dance; where it lacks, though, is scene and character development. The camera often jumps from one scene to another leaving the audience uninvolved. The pitfall of jumping straight into action is that the audience fails to emotionally invest in the characters. Characters appear as strangers since we do not know their history or their lives apart from the role that they play in the movie. For instance, Nida decides to walk away from Saif due to his political aspirations. Saif chooses his country over the love of his life and this should have been a strong emotional moment in the movie, but it suffers due to the lack of attention given to their relationship. Despite the quick flash backs and the love song playing in the background, the audience remains unmoved. It is only towards the intermission that the pace of the movie picks up and it is largely due to the amazing performance of Ethishamuddin as Musa Azeem that the audience gets involved in the movie. Where others have failed, Ethishamuddin shines; he has brilliantly played his character. Musa Azeem also has the most distinct voice in the movie; his hard hitting dialogues coupled with some brilliant cinematography send the audience into a whirlwind of emotions. Although misplaced at a dinner table, his monologue with shots of people suffering in the background surely deserves a trophy.

"Tum abhi sotay raho bhai, abhi zulm aur tum mai tumhara fasla baqi hai..." (Brother, keep sleeping; there is a distance between cruelty and you.)

“It is very important to dream.”

Looking at the current state-of-affairs in Pakistan, it is safe to say that Decepticon-like humans are creating havoc in the political sphere. Their weapons and actions have made peace a scarce concept. In addition, the May 11 elections are expected to bring change in Pakistan. If peace needs to prevail in the country then, in my opinion, Optimus Prime should become the president of Pakistan. My vote is for him not because he is a thirty-two feet tall robot who transforms into a truck, equipped with cool weapons. It isn't even because he has a deep voice. I wish him to be president because of the following ten reasons: 1. He doesn’t need the presidency Optimus Prime can easily live in a warehouse or in a parking lot - He doesn’t need the presidency. This way, Pakistan can save millions of rupees on a daily basis that easily go away on the maintenance of the presidency. Moreover, since Optiums doesn’t have an ego problem, he won’t need the tons of servants and maids either, which will save plenty more and raise the country’s treasury. 2. He is a true leader Even if he is made of metal and has a spark instead of a heart, he is more of a leader than any of his human counterparts. He will be with his nation in times of crisis and won’t be going on foreign tours, leaving his nation behind in a state of emergency and distress. 3. He is unmarried He is a machine and is on a mission to save the world from the evil grasps of the Decepticons. He isn’t married and never will be, so he will certainly not do anything to get sympathy votes. I know you are smiling right now! 4. He is from the Autobots, not from some lame party with a silly manifesto He is a loyal leader of the Autobot. He has loyal followers who will never switch sides. His manifesto isn’t only confined to a region, but spreads around the entire universe; to save every planet from the malevolent clutches of the Decepticons. 5. He doesn’t need a protocol If Optimus Prime were to become Pakistan’s president, then he will save billions of rupees politicians so easily spend on their security protocol. Optimus Prime and the Autobots do not need protocol. Why should they? They are all equipped with an Energon Sword, Ion Blaster, Barrage Cannon, Energon Hooks, Battle Blades, Laser Rifle and all sorts of cool weapons. 6. He doesn’t laugh Optimus Prime is always serious and talks to the point; in short, no dilly dallying and no excuses. He doesn’t talk trash, nor does he make fake promises. He doesn’t laugh either, so whatever he says is accepted with credibility and respect. 7. He will fight along with the people Instead of living within the boundaries of his presidency and hiding behind guards, Optimus loves to fight. He never lets go of a chance to enter the battlefield and kick Decepticon-butt. 8. He never says the irritating word You know what that irritating word is? Whenever our politicians are asked a question, they always reply saying “Dekhain jee!” which continuously frustrates the viewers. Optiums will never utter that word. He will always come straight to the point and give suggestions to solve the issues at hand. 9. He will give new Autobots to Pakistan Optimus can also provide a new fleet of Autobots to Pakistan’s armed forces. Who knows how many Autobots are hiding in plain sight in museums and military compounds of the country. Optimus can use his spark and the shrapnel from the Cube to give them life, which will add the needed strength to the country’s military. 10. He will make the system efficient Since Optimus Prime and the Autobots don’t sleep, they can work round the clock with their human support in Pakistan and can make things right. Only an efficient, dedicated, and resolute machine can solve the many issues boiling up in all sectors of the country. Optimus Prime, with his intimidating but just leadership style will definitely bring fear to the hearts of those who are stealing Pakistan’s dignity as we speak. My vote is for Optimus Prime. Who are you supporting? Read more by Omar here or follow him on Twitter @omariftikhar

I grew up watching this cooking show called “Yan Can Cook” and as a young kid I was always mesmerised by how easy and enjoyable the man made cooking look. How many of you still remember his knife skills? Absolutely fantastic, right? He could easily give a contestant of Master Chef a real run for their money. It’s safe to say I became addicted to learning how to cook just like Yan from very early on. I have been trying to cook my favourite Chinese dishes one by one, and the one that always turns out right every time is my Orange Chicken, found at almost all Chinese restaurants. Tender, chewy, crispy, citrusy, sweet, tangy and spicy all in one - it's a real treat for the taste-buds! This batter fried chicken is coated in a sweet orange-flavoured caramelised chili sauce and what makes this recipe stand out is the combination of both, the orange and lemon juice. Without further ado, I present to you my version of Orange Chicken. Ingredients: For the chicken:

• 2 pounds of boneless skin less chicken breasts cut into two inch cubes
• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 egg (beaten)
• Oil for deep frying

• 1½ cup chicken broth (can dissolve chicken cubes in ½ cup of water also)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 table spoon of orange marmalade
• ½ tablespoon orange zest (optional if not available)
• 2½ tablespoons soy sauce
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ⅓ cup rice vinegar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 red chilies, broken up and seeds discarded (or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes)
• 3 tablespoons corn flour
• ¼ cup water
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped (I used some coriander since I was all out of spring onion)
• 1 tsp vegetable oil

1. Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture and shake in flour mixture to coat. Deep fry chicken in batches at 375 degrees in a deep fryer (or use a wok) until completely cooked.
2. Heat a teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Sauté the ginger and garlic for 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients, except for the green onions and corn flour. Bring the sauce to a boil. Combine three tablespoons of corn flour with 1/4 cup of water and mix thoroughly. Slowly stir corn starch mixture into sauce until it thickens. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
3. Add the chicken pieces and green onions to the sauce, stir to coat, and bring the sauce to a low simmer and cook for five minutes.

Less than a week is left for the elections. Although this may seem too good to be true, but this grand event in our history is actually happening! Voting is our duty and is imperative but the question arises, who will I vote for? Pondering long over this conundrum, I drew a picture of how to categorise the average voter below: The reluctant fundamentalist: Here’s the simple man, who can’t stand the idea of multiple components of parliamentary democracy. Though his knowledge of the religion may be poor, his grasp on the principles of fiqh and Shariah may be very minimal, he is ready to follow anyone who claims to be the righteous and in the blessed path towards the promised glory hence very easy to be convinced with some strong words of God. This category of individuals is most likely to either cast their vote of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F)  or will simply cast no vote because democracy is a conspiracy of the ‘fair skinned’ upon us. The wronged: Filled with nationalistic pride, here’s a group of individuals who feel they have always been wronged by every regime and can never be satisfied. Determined to set things right, they’ll vote for parties keeping their nationalistic interests. They see parties like Balochistan National Party (BNP)/ Awami National Party (ANP) as their path towards their promised destiny. The nostalgic: These individuals are generally older than 40, have seen the country’s major eras although mostly through an array of generals. They have seen the dynamo of real change turn once; this experience had been short lived but has impacted them tremendously. Another tendency of these individuals is to be captivated by legacies and absorbed perpetually in tragedies with further glancing into what the picture looks like in present. Nostalgic people can never get over Bhutto and they will always vote for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The tunnel visionaries: They are the modern conformists who are educated, have rational reasoning yet choose to conform to cultural norms rather than trying a new ideology. These individuals envision phenomenal progress in the country if their party wins. Every time they argue about the capability of their party they quote all the development that has happened in their vicinity (mainly restricted to one province). Ardently, they blame constant interruption of the military as a hurdle in their party pathway- otherwise today Pakistan would have been Sweden! Tunnel visionary fail to see anything beyond the highways because that’s what tunnel vision does, it keeps a horse focused on the road. Oblivious to the bigger picture of course, they conveniently ignore foreign policy and sectarian issues. These individuals will vote for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N.) The avengers: Born and raised in the age of Cartoon Network and later the internet, the avengers are set to make this country a better place. With their new found vigour, their talent in social media and the ability to argue tenaciously, all they need is a hero. Like a baby, avengers demand change! With their lack of reading on social sciences and politics, they try filling the gap of their knowledge by the material available on the internet in the form of blogs, fan pages and memes. The average avenger is an adventure loving dreamer, mostly stays optimistic about the future and in this optimism, ignores most technical aspects of politics. Mesmerised by the power of hero personality cult, the avengers don’t exactly know what their revolution will look like, but are sure it will be as bad as a natural disaster. The avengers will vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). The privileged: These are the blessed individuals who either have family in bureaucracy, military or will be technocratic. They think they are the real citizens, with their foreign degrees, their good table manners and command of language. Often these individuals look at the country as a big mess simply because the average population failed to evolve as well as they have managed to. Fond of playing the blame game, they’ll find everyone possible to be blamed for the short comings of their party even though their party has been in power for a good decade or more. They strongly believe in a democracy system where only the educated and that too the highly educated has the right to vote. These politically, morally and existentially aware, elite classes of individuals will vote for Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) or Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q). With these basic categories, one thing can be said for sure, these elections will surely be very interesting. It’s hard to determine which category is going to dominate as there is an overlap in these categories as well which skews general prediction. Now it’s time I decide which category I fall in!

 1. Ehteshamuddin: The theatre actor and director, who has also tried his hand at television, is definitely the highlight of Chambaili. He is a perfect fit for his role at Musa, the idealist journalist-poet who leads his friends to stand up against an influential politician and his son. 2. Dialogues: Extremely well-written lines, particularly for Ehteshamuddin, are really the icing on the cake. The Urdu is crisp and clear, unlike the terrible language we hear on TV nowadays. There is no mixing with English, neither is there the Bollywood influence. The dialogues are so good that they manage to make an impression even with Shahzad Nawaz’s sub-par acting. 3. Pro-democracy: Although the film is certainly a little soft on the military and its role in Pakistani politics, I would disagree that Chambaili is anti-democracy. In fact, in its essence, the film is thoroughly pro-democracy as it urges the viewers to do nothing more than exercise a civic, political duty: vote. 4. Message of pluralism: The main analogy in the film is Prophet Moses (RA) and Pharaoh and one of the main characters is quite clearly Shia. In the end, the new president specifically addresses all Pakistanis, who are shown praying in a church, a gurudwara as well as a Hindu temple. Secondly, on the wall where Maira Khan’s character has put up framed pictures of all the revolutionaries of the world, Gandhi’s photograph is prominently displayed. 5. No preaching: Overall, Chambaili is a great, great film that successfully transmits a very strong message without being preachy. The film manages to be patriotic without being jingoistic. 6. Clever making: Full credit to producers Shahzad Nawaz and Abdullah Kadwani, and director Ismail Jilani for the brilliant idea of setting the film in a mythical country called Mulk-e-Khudadad (Country given by God). The country has an uncanny resemblance to Pakistan, but since it isn’t Pakistan, the makers were able to say everything and anything about the country. 7. Kiran: The character, played by Maira Khan, is one of my favourite parts about the film. She is known as a true, strong idealist who says it as it is and refuses to back down when her brothers/male family members are contemplating calling off their strike. She is the one who stands up for what’s right and is the epitome of the strength of a woman. Through her character, the film reaches out to women in a way that few other films do – even in Bollywood. 8. A well-integrated plot: For a film that touches upon such a vast number of issues, Chambaili is very well-paced and all the issues weave in coherently to form a strong plot, without making the film a drag. 9. It’s a Pakistani product through and through: Have you ever complained about why Pakistanis cannot make good films? Well, here’s your chance to be part of something that could spell the revival of indigenous Pakistani cinema. 10. Better than what else is available:  Aashiqui 2 and Oblivion are just bad, bad films. Your money will be better spent on Chambaili. PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/Chambaili Read more by Zainab here or follow her on twitter @zainabimam