I can make dal and keema: Obama tells Sharif

Recalling a visit to Pakistan during his college days in 1980s, US President Barack Obama told Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he knows how to cook dal and keema.

Recalling a visit to Pakistan during his college days in 1980s, US President Barack Obama told Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he knows how to cook dal and keema.

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Obama's remarks, made during a meeting with Sharif at the White House on Thursday, prompted the Pakistani leader to invite the US President and the first lady, Michelle, to his country to try the delicacies.

Going down the memory lane, Obama shared his thoughts, reminiscing how the mother of his Pakistani roommates had taught him to cook dal and keema.

"I shared with him (Sharif) that I had the opportunity, back in 1980 when I was a very young man, to visit Pakistan because I had two Pakistani roommates in college whose mothers taught me how to cook dal and keema, and other very good Pakistani food," Obama told reporters.

"And it was a wonderful trip for me, and created a great appreciation and a great love for the Pakistani people," Obama said in his joint media appearance with Sharif.

The mention of dal and keema immediately brought smile on Sharif’s face who appeared to be serious and kept quite while Obama was speaking to the press.

"Mr President, I admire your statesmanship, your wisdom, and your commitment to high values of peace and stability around the world.

"I thank you once again and look forward to welcoming you and Mrs Obama in Pakistan. Keema and dal are waiting for you," Sharif said.