Pakistan's Favorite Breakfast

Also eaten as a morning meal throughout India and Bangladesh, halwa puri is a very hearty start to the day, consisting of several components but primary amongst them: spicy, stewed chickepeas, hot and crunchy fried breads and the sweet cream of wheat pudding called halwa. Cafe Drake's preferred version of this sweet and salty combo can be grabbed for a mere $5 until 11:30AM at the nifty Merit Kabob Palace (37-67 74th St., Jackson Heights, NY 11372). See above.

The freshly made breads may present an overwhelming challenge to those home chefs of us not exactly confirmed as Morning People, but the creamy halwa is fairly simple to prepare and keeps well in the fridge. Bonus points are scored by its (reportedly) effective banishment of all but the very worst of hangovers.

Here's how to make it:

• 1 cup of Semolina (Cream of Wheat)
Dry Fruits (optional - according to taste)
5-6 Cardamom Pods 
Almonds  (slivered) 
Cashews (chopped) (according to taste)
1 cup Sugar
Salt (according to taste)
2 cups Water
¼ cup of Clarified Butter (Ghee) or Cooking Oil  

1. Heat clarified butter or cooking oil in a small pot until well hot. Add cardamom and semolina and roast the semolina on very low heat until it turns light brown and gives a nice aroma.
2. Add water and sugar and stir. Add salt, dry fruits, and nuts. Mix and cover on low heat and let it simmer until the water absorbs (approximately 5 to 10 minutes.) Remove from heat, mix, and serve.