Lemon squares with a sprinkle of Ali Zafar please!
While he ‘jhoomed’ off for work, I zoomed off in the kitchen to prepare a simple and scrumptious dessert with lemons.
Born and bred in good ol’ Lahore, this Lahori munda has done us proud in many fields. His claim to fame is painting, singing, dancing and acting. With his adverts zapped nationwide on billboards and television channels, singing and dancing to his own composition, Ali Zafar goes around painting the town yellow and red.
Shuffling between the neighbouring Indian film industry, local adverts and composing albums, he is a busy man, yet he was kind enough to take my call whilst driving back home from his dentist appointment. Given the lack of time and opportunities to meet him, I managed a ‘lightning round’ with him over the phone.
Me: If ever given a chance to act for this side of the border, would you like to act in Pakistani dramas or films? If yes, who would you like your drama queen to be?
Ali Zafar (AZ): For now films. The queen can be anyone as long as she doesn’t create a drama on the set.
(Munda of small words eh?)
Me: We have seen the funny bone in you in your last six Indian films. Will we get to see the emotional or evil side of yours?
AZ: Well, all these films did have some serious and emotional quotient but yes, by and large they were comedy films. London, Paris, New York was a romantic film. However, Kill Dil is the film where you would get to see me in a completely different avatar. More serious and grey!
(Okay never mind, he talks, like all Lahoris)
Me: I am personally very fond of your song ‘Jhoom’. What is the inspiration behind it?
AZ: I wrote the song as a medium of devotion to ‘life’ itself. It speaks about how life reflects itself in each and everything. It was written during a time I was going through a sort of reflective pensive phase in life. If you see the video of this song, you would see the depiction of drifting away from the glitz and glamour into a simpler side of life and finding happiness there.
(Wah, deep!)
Me: Success is public, and so is failure. Does that bother you? How do you cope with it?
AZ: Failure is your best teacher. If you experience it with an open mind, you can gain a lot from it.
(Tart reply, eh!)
Me: What is the difference and similarity between Ali Zafar in NCA days and Ali Zafar nowadays?
AZ: I was a student of arts during NCA days. I still am a student of arts in life!
(Aww sweet, so young at heart)
Me: When it comes to women, is IQ (Intelligence Quotient) more important or EQ (Emotional Quotient)?
AZ: IQ, EQ, ZQ, YQ, all go hand in hand
Me: Hahah… and what would ZQ and YQ be?
AZ: The readers should employ their IQ’s to find out.
(Funny bone again)
Me: On a personal level, what is your daily routine like?
AZ: I love spending time with my family, love intense work out sessions and eating a balanced healthy diet.
And with that, he ‘jhoomed’ off for work.
Feeling satisfied with the conversation I just had, I decided to treat myself with a tarty delight. With Ali Zafar's magical voice still dwelling in my mind, I zoomed off to the kitchen to prepare a simple dessert with lemons. Both tart and sweet at the same time, this crispy base is baked to perfection and topped with a tangy lemon curd. It does require a bit of preparation but, trust me, the results are well worth it.
Photo: Saadia TariqIngredients: (Makes 16 squares)
Base:
All-purpose flour - 1 cup (140 grams)
Sugar - ½ cup (50 grams)
Butter (melted) - ½ cup (100 grams)
Almond flour (optional) - 1 tablespoon (tbsp)
Vanilla essence - ½ teaspoon (tsp)
Topping:
Lemon juice - 175 grams
Sugar - 1 cup
Lemon zest - 3 tbsp
Eggs - 3 (room temperature)
Corn flour - 4 tsp
Butter (melted) - 4 tbsp
Salt - ¼ tsp
Method:
1. Line a 9x3 inch baking pan with baking or butter paper and set aside.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, sugar, almond flour, melted butter and vanilla essence. Stir until the mixture is almost smooth.
3. Spread out the mixture in the lined pan and level with your hands.
4. Bake the crust in a pre-heated oven 180C (350F) for 20-25 minutes or until the base is golden brown.
5. While the crust is cooking, zest and juice the lemons and tip in a food processor along with the eggs, corn flour, butter and salt. Blitz until just mixed, but be sure not to mix it too much.
6. When the base is ready, reduce the temperature of the oven to 150C (300F). Pour the lemon topping on the base and bake for another 25 minutes. The topping will be slightly jiggly but will solidify on cooling.
7. Once cooled completely, cut into squares and top with icing sugar. They can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for four to five days.
Photo: Saadia TariqLeaving you with a reflection of life from his song ‘Jhoom’:
“Meiney tujhey dekha subhah key ujalon mein
Nadiya mein, naalon mein
Lamho mein, saalon mein
Pyaar karney waalon mein
Junoon mein, jiyaalo mein
Ishq key malaalon mein
Zinda misalon mein
Jitni tu milti jayee, utni lagi thodi thodi”
(I saw you in the morning light
In lakes, in drains
In moments, in years
In two lovers
In passion, in followers
In love’s guilt
In life’s examples
The more I get you, the less it seems)
Photo: Saadia TariqInspired by recipe from David Lebovitz
This post originally appeared here.
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