As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Muslims worldwide will be engaging in the spiritual practice of fasting from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken at sunset with an evening meal known as Iftar. Iftar is a time for the community to gather and break the fast together.
Spice up your Iftar this year with these mouthwatering recipes that will tantalize your taste buds:
Photo by Karthikeyan Anand on Pexels.comStart off your Iftar with a spicy and tangy appetizer that will leave your taste buds wanting more. This popular street food in South Asia is made with crispy samosas, chickpeas, yogurt, and chutneys. Iftar is incomplete without samosa’s.
Required Ingredients:
4-5 samosas, cut into bite-sized pieces
90 grams of boiled chickpeas
75 grams of boiled potatoes, peeled and cubed
50 grams of chopped onions
60 grams chopped tomatoes
10 grams chopped coriander leaves
60 grams of tamarind chutney
60 grams of mint-coriander chutney
120 grams of yogurt
Salt to taste
Chaat masala to taste
Sev (thin, crispy fried noodles) for garnishing
Procedure:
In a plate put samosas and cut the samosas or mash it with the help of fork into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
In a bowl add the boiled chickpeas, cubed potatoes, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, and chopped coriander leaves.
After that, add the tamarind and mint-coriander chutney to the bowl and mix well with the help of a big spoon.
Then, in a separate bowl, add yogurt and pinch of salt. Mix the yogurt with the help of a hand beater or fork.
To assemble the chaat, divide the samosa pieces into plates. After that add chickpea-potato mixture on to the samosas as desired.
Now, pour the mixture of yogurt over the samosas mixture and sprinkle chaat masala on the yogurt and mix them well after that garnish the plates with sev.
2. Chicken Shawarma:
Photo by H.A.M.E Official on Pexels.comIf you’re looking for something more substantial, try this delicious Arabic dish made with succulent marinated chicken, onions, spices, and garlic sauce. Served in pita bread, it’s a filling and flavorful meal to break your fast. In Iftar children’s like fast food make this shawarma at home. Not only children but also elder like to eat fast food if you make this in Iftar not your family only like it but also love it.
In a large bowl add chicken thighs, plain yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
Mix them well with the help of fork or a rubber spatula and ensure that the chicken is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
In a bowl add mayonnaise, plain yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Then, mix them well in order to make garlic sauce for shawarma. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or bowl cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
After that, warm the pita bread or flatbread on the grill or in a toaster.
To assemble the Shawarma wrap, spread a desired amount of garlic sauce on the pita bread or flatbread. Add the grilled chicken, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, and sliced cucumber.
Roll up the pita bread or flatbread tightly to form a wrap.
Serve it with mayonnaise or ketchup.
3. Kunafa:
Photo by eat kubba on Pexels.comNo Iftar is complete without a sweet dessert. Kunafa is a Middle Eastern pastry made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and doused in sweet syrup. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth after a long day of fasting. In Iftar make sweets because it’s also good for your health to eat something sweet.
Required Ingredients:
For the syrup:
400 grams of granulated sugar
240 grams of water
15 grams of Lemon juice
15 grams of rose water
For the kunafa filling:
500 grams of shredded kunafa dough (also called kataifi)
240 grams of melted butter
500 grams of akawi cheese, grated (or substituted with mozzarella)
50 grams of sugar
60 grams of water
Procedure:
Combine the granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, occasionally stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for 10-15 minutes or until it thickens slightly.
Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the rose water. Set the syrup aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, separate the strands of the shredded kunafa dough with your hands. Pour melted butter over the kunafa dough and mix well to ensure it is evenly coated.
Mix the grated cheese, sugar, and water in a separate bowl until well combined.
Grease a 9-inch round baking dish with butter. Add half of the kunafa dough to the bottom of the plate and press it down firmly to form a compact layer.
Spread the cheese mixture evenly on top of the kunafa dough layer.
Add the remaining kunafa dough to the cheese layer and press it down firmly.
Bake the kunafa in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the kunafa from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
Pour the cooled syrup over the kunafa, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
Photo by dhiraj jain on Pexels.comThis flavorful rice dish is a staple in India and Pakistan, consisting of basmati rice and meat or vegetables, cooked with aromatic spices. It’s a one-pot meal that is perfect for Iftar and can be customized to suit your taste preference. Iftar is incomplete without biryani. Everyone love biryani if you make this in Iftar everyone must enjoy it.
Required Ingredients:
For the marinade:
500 grams of bone-in chicken or mutton pieces
120 grams of yogurt
2.5 grams of red chili powder
2.5 grams of turmeric powder
2.5 grams of cumin powder
2.5 grams of coriander powder
2.5 grams of garam masala
5 grams of ginger paste
5 grams of garlic paste
Salt to taste
For the biryani:
400 grams of basmati rice
30 grams of ghee or oil
200 grams of onions, sliced
2 grams of cinnamon stick
4-5 grams of cloves
4-5 grams of green cardamom pods
2 grams of bay leaf
5 grams of cumin seeds
250 grams of chopped tomatoes
10 grams of slit lengthwise green chilies
50 grams of chopped mint leaves
50 grams of chopped coriander leaves
Salt to taste
15 grams of lemon juice
Procedure:
Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.
Combine the bone-in chicken or mutton pieces in a mixing bowl with yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, ginger paste, garlic paste, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the meat is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Bring 6-8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the soaked rice to the boiling water and cook for 5-6 minutes or until it is parboiled. Drain the rice and set it aside.
In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat ghee or oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté until they are golden brown.
Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, green cardamom pods, bay leaf, and cumin seeds to the pan. Sauté for 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant.
Add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, chopped mint, coriander, and salt to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and pulpy.
Add the marinated meat to the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender and fully cooked.
Layer the parboiled rice and the cooked meat mixture in a separate pot. Sprinkle lemon juice on top.
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
Fluff up the rice with a fork and mix the meat mixture into it.
5. Falafel:
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.comIf you’re looking for a vegan option, try falafel. These crispy, deep-fried balls made of ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices are a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean snack. They are filling and flavorful, and can be served with pita bread and hummus. in Iftar everyone like fritters and Iftar is incomplete without fritters. If you made falafel in Iftar its good for your health.
40-50 grams of chickpea flour (depending on the desired consistency)
Oil for frying
Procedure:
In a big bowl rinse the chickpeas in cold water and soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Drain the chickpeas and transfer them to a food processor or blender. Blend them for 3-4 minutes. After that add chopped onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Again blend them until formed a coarsely ground but not full smooth and pureed
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in baking powder and flour. Mix well until the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape when formed into balls or patties. If the mixture is too dry, add a little bit of water. If it is too wet, add a little bit of flour.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and shape them into balls or patties.
Fry the falafel until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve hot with pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, and salad.
You can also use all-purpose flour in place of chickpea flour.
6. Mango Lassi:
Photo by Pure Punjabi on Pexels.comTo quench your thirst after a long day of fasting, try a refreshing mango lassi. Made with fresh mangoes, yogurt, and sugar, it’s a popular drink in India and Pakistan. In Iftar everyone like drinks. You can make mango lassi in Iftar and enjoy your Iftar with your family.
Required Ingredients:
1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
240 grams of plain yogurt
120 grams of milk
25-35 grams of sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
0.5 grams of ground cardamom (optional)
Ice cubes (optional)
Procedure:
Add chopped mango, yogurt, milk, sugar, and cardamom (if using) in a blender, then Blend until smooth and creamy.
Add ice cubes and blend again for a few seconds to make it chilled and frothy.
Pour the mango lassi into glasses and serve immediately.
You can also garnish the mango lassi with chopped or mint leaves. You can garnish it with with your favorite things.
Note: If the mangoes are not very sweet, you may need to add more sugar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these mouthwatering recipes can make your Iftar more memorable and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for something savory or sweet, there is something for everyone. So, make your Ramadan special with these delicious Iftar recipes and enjoy the spirit of the holy month. Must try these Iftar recipes at home and enjoy your Iftar!
Food is an essential part of life and is a great source of nourishment. It should be enjoyed and savored. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for optimal health and wellbeing. Eating a variety of foods from all the major food groups can help ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs. Eating a variety of nutritious foods also helps to promote a healthy weight and a positive body image. With the right food choices, you can boost your energy levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy, nutritious food can also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Making smart food choices can be easy and enjoyable with a bit of planning and the right ingredients.
