Growing up, I always knew that when I came home from school and smelled the fragrant aroma of Keema Muttar, I was in for a treat. My mother was born in the 1930s in India and had vivid memories of the creation of Pakistan and the barbaric cruelty of the partition. She became a widow

never really had a place to call home, as we moved from place to place, and as the only child and the only colored boy in school, I found it very difficult to fit in.

Despite these challenges, my mother’s cooking was a constant source of comfort and belonging for us. The keema muttar, in particular, represented the great taste and feeling of belonging, with a fear of losing those things. It was a dish that was made with love and passed down through generations.

Years later, as I grew older and started to take an interest in cooking, my mother began to teach me her recipe for keema muttar. We would spend hours in the kitchen, laughing and sharing stories, as we chopped vegetables and stirred spices. Through these cooking sessions, I began to learn more about my heritage and the traditions that my family had passed down through the generations.

As I continued to refine the recipe and make it my own, I also began to think more about the health benefits of the dish. I started to experiment with healthier versions, using leaner meats and reducing the amount of oil and salt. I found that the dish could still be just as delicious, while also being a healthier option for my family and me.

Now, every time I make keema muttar, I am reminded of those memories in the kitchen with my mother, as well as the rich cultural heritage that it represents. It’s a dish that has brought me comfort and a sense of belonging, even during some of the most difficult times in my life. And I hope that by sharing this recipe and the story behind it, others will be able to experience the same joy and connection that comes with food and the memories that it holds.

Keema Muttar is a classic North Indian and Pakistani dish made with minced meat (keema) and green peas (muttar). It is a comfort food for many, and is often made at home using traditional family recipes.

Here is a recipe for Keema Muttar that you can try at home: