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Ramadan is a special time of the year for Muslim faithful across the world. Different recipes are significant with this season and in this article, we will be sharing easy Ramadan recipe ideas for Iftar and Sahur.
What is Sahur and Iftar?
Sahur (Arabic: سحور) also called Sahari, Sahri, or Sehri is the meal eaten early in the morning by Muslims before fasting. It is eaten before dawn during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The meal is eaten before fajr prayer. Sahur corresponds to Iftar during Ramadan, replacing the traditional three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Being the last meal eaten by Muslims before fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, Suhur is regarded by Islamic traditions as a benefit of the blessings in that it allows the person fasting to avoid crankiness or weakness caused by the fast. According to a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, Anas ibn Malik narrated, “The Prophet said, ‘take suhur as there is a blessing in it.
Iftar (Arabic: افطار) is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of adhan (call to prayer) of the Maghrib prayer. This is usually their second meal of the day; the daily fast during Ramadan begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of suhur and continues during daylight hours. Iftar is one of the religious occurrences of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with Muslim people gathering to break their fast together.
Traditionally three dates are eaten to break the fast, in emulation of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, who broke his fast in this manner but this is not mandatory. Muslims believe that feeding someone Iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding and such was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad.
10 Easy Ramadan Recipes
Several Ramadan recipes from across the world are very easy and simple to make and are a must-try. We will be sharing some of these Ramadan recipes below;
Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Dolma is a popular Ramadan meal and is quite easy to make, Its name is derived from the Turkish word “dolmak”, meaning to be stuffed. Dolma is stuffed with vegetables such as zucchini, tomato, pepper, onion, garlic, eggplant grapes, or cabbage leaves, stuffed with minced meat, and cooked in a white sauce flavored with cinnamon.
However, many other vegetables can be used too, including carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. Grape or cabbage leaves are mostly used for wrapping this delicacy. Now, you’ll find many variations of stuffed grape leaves recipes, from Turkey and Greece to Lebanon, and Egypt where it’s called Warak Enab (Grape Vine Paper.)
Some recipes contain meat, others vegetarian. Some contain tomato sauce, and others are cooked in a lemony broth.
Stuffed Dates (Kahk)
Kahk is believed to date back to Ancient Egypt, where carvings of people making it have been found in the ruins of ancient temples in Memphis and Thebes. A recipe was also found in the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza. In ancient Egypt, these cookies would be molded into different ornamental and geometrical forms.
The tradition of making this recipe continued over the years and also became part of Islamic history. It became prominent among the Ikhshidits and soon became one of the signature recipes associated with Eid-el-fitr, the celebration that happens right after the month of Ramadan.
During this Islamic period, the markings on kahk were replaced with geometric designs, sayings, and stylized foliage designs.
Kahk can have so many different fillings or can be left plain. The markings on top are usually used to indicate the filling of the cookies. The most popular filling by far is the Agameya. It’s a cooked mixture of ghee, honey, sesame seeds, and optional nuts; most often walnuts. It’s sweet and gooey and irresistible.
It can also be stuffed with Turkish delight (malban), sticky sweet date paste (agwa), or plain nuts like walnuts and pistachios.
There is also a special seasoning added to this cookie called kahk seasoning. It is a special blend of powdered spices that are added to the cookies to give them their distinctive flavor.
It is also known as kahk essence or reehet el kahk and is available at Egyptian stores.
Sambusa a.k.a Samosa
Somali sambusa is a spicy meat mixture folded into a dough pastry and fried. They can be enjoyed in Africa as a snack or an appetizer but they tend to be saved for special occasions.
In supermarkets, these delicious snacks can be bought both frozen or already fried and ready to eat.
They are fried triangle-shaped pastries with savory fillings, are a popular and tasty snack and they often have spiced ground beef fillings, but vegetarian ones can be found too, with fillings such as lentils, spiced potatoes, and onions. any restaurants also serve them as appetizers.
Couscous
Couscous is a traditional North African dish made with meat, vegetables, and spices. It has Amazigh (Berber) origins and is a staple dish in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya. Its popularity has spread to Europe as well. It is also Tunisia’s official national dish. couscous.
In this celebratory dish, a plate of fluffy couscous is piled high with meatballs, lamb chops, chicken skewers, merguez sausage, and a saffron-scented chickpea stew.
Couscous originated among the Berbers of Algeria and Morocco between the end of the 11th-century Zirid dynasty, modern-day Algeria, and the rise of the 13th-century Almohad Caliphate, according to Charles Perry. Wheat grains could have been boiled or cracked and then boiled before being ground into flour. The precise origin of couscous is unknown. Because couscous is made from ground wheat, it appears unlikely that it could have been made before 6,000 BC.
Boeber
Boeber is the Cape Malay name for a South African pudding. It has evolved into a classic Cape Malay sweet milk drink made with vermicelli, sago, sugar, and flavors such as cardamom, stick cinnamon, and rose water.
The pudding is usually offered on the 15th night of Ramadan to commemorate the midpoint of the This rich, creamy milk drink is made with fresh full cream milk that has been toasted with fine vermicelli, pure choice butter, sugar, creamy rich condensed milk, sago, cinnamon cardamom powder, drizzled with silvered almonds and pistachios, and garnished with desiccated coconut.
To avoid burning, keep stirring at regular intervals fast for those who have finished the first 15 days of fasting. They are also known as op die berg folk.
Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is a West African meal that has gained international acclaim for its extraordinary depth of flavor. Whereas most rice dishes are served as side dishes to the main course, Jollof is unquestionably the headliner.
The cuisine is a celebration of West Africa’s sharing culture, and it is smoked, spicy, and aromatic. Nobody ever leaves Auntie’s place without going home with a bowl.
Jollof Rice is mostly common in West Africa and is consumed in most regions like Nigeria, Gambia, Sierre Leone, Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, and many others. The only thing is that their ingredients are different.
The roots of jollof rice may be traced back to the Senegambian territory governed by the Wolof or Jolof Empire in the 14th century, which spanned portions of today’s Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania and was where rice was farmed. The cuisine is based on a classic dish called thieboudienne, which includes rice, fish, shellfish, and vegetables.
Jollof is traditionally cooked over an open fire to absorb the smokiness, before adding smoky paprika, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg to boost the taste. You may also add butter or coconut oil, and serve it with grilled chicken, salad, fried plantain, or avocado because added fat is always a good idea.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a soup made from chicken that has been cooked in water with various other ingredients including vegetables. Without blinking, the ultimate comfort dish can be said to be chicken soup.
Chicken soup has earned a reputation as a folk treatment for colds and influenza, and it is considered a comfort dish in many nations. This broth can be consumed on its own or in a variety of recipes, ranging from chicken noodle soup to a creamy chicken casserole.
Chicken soup is high in protein and vital fatty acids that help your body in the formation and repair of healthy muscle, bone, skin, and blood cells. Chicken broth is also high in minerals like iron. Selenium is also found in chicken broth. This aids in the prevention and management of cardiovascular illnesses and consequences, such as strokes and excessive cholesterol.
This is a quick dish to make during Ramadan and does not require a lot of ingredients.
Fruit Salad
This recipe comes in many shapes and varieties. Depending on geography or time of year, one type of fruit salad may be more popular than another.
Here are some of the most popular –
Simple Fruit Salad – served with no nuts, marshmallows, or heavy dressings, this is the version that you see in this post. It is all about the fruit.
Fruit Cocktail – typically sold canned, you can also make a homemade fruit cocktail. The defining difference is that fruit salad contains larger pieces of fruit, while the fruit cocktail is diced into smaller pieces.
Jello Salad – Made with a unique combination of flavored gelatin, fruit, and grated carrots, and To make, you start by washing all your vegetables that need to be washed. Slice the kiwi, watermelon, and cantaloupe – as well as the grapes if there will be young children
Toss in a bowl and refrigerate with blueberries and kiwi. Right before you are ready to serve it, slice the blueberries and fold them in
Serve immediately and refrigerate the leftovers! sometimes other ingredients such as cottage cheese, marshmallows, nuts, or pretzels.
Porridge Beans
Beans, in general, are members of the legume crop family. There are many different types of beans around the world, each with its shape, size, color, and flavor; nevertheless, kidney-shaped, black-eyed, and brown beans are the most popular in Nigeria.
Nigerian beans porridge goes well with Agege bread (a type of Nigerian bread) or any bread. Aside from bread, fried plantain, and yam is a popular and delicious combinations. It can also be eaten as a side dish with rice or with relished with the almighty garri.
Many chefs have confirmed that honey beans are the best to use because they have a unique and somewhat sweet flavor that truly ups your dish, but any of the other beans would suffice.
Mini Pancakes (Katayef)
Katayef is the Egyptian version of pancakes. They are sold almost exclusively during the holy month of Ramadan in every bakery.
Some people choose to eat them straight out of the box. Other people choose to fill them up with custard or even feta cheese and bake them or air fry them for a healthier version.
Most Egyptians fill Katayef with nuts and sugar, deep fry them, and then add sugar syrup on top. It is an indulgent Egyptian dish worth trying.
Qatayef is the star dessert in Egypt during the month of Ramadan. It is also the easiest to make.
These are some of the Ramadan recipes we think you should try out. If you do try any of them, do well to share them with us on our social media pages.
What is Ramadan?
If you are not Muslim or know very little about Islam you might have no idea what Ramadan is, so let’s get to know what Ramadan is all about.
Ramadan (Arabic: رَمَضَان) also spelled as Ramazan, Ramzan or Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. It is observed worldwide by Muslims as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, and reflection. This is a commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation and the annual observance of the Five pillars of Islam. It lasts for about twenty-nine to thirty days from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Fasting is done from dawn to sunset and is compulsory for all Muslim adults who are not seriously ill, traveling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating.
It is believed that the spiritual rewards of fasting which are known as thawab are multiplied during Ramadan. During the hours of fasting Muslims not only refrain from food and drink, but they also avoid tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behavior and focus instead on prayer and study of the Quran.
Origin Of Ramadan
The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root R-M-D (ر-م-ض) which means scorching heat and is the classical Arabic verb Ramida meaning becoming “intensely hot – become burning; become scorching; be blazing; be glowing”
Ramadan is thought to be one of the names of God in Islam by some and as such it is reported in many hadiths that it is prohibited to say only “Ramadan” about the calendar month and that is necessary to say “month of Ramadan” when referring to the calendar month as reported by Sunni which is the largest sec of Islam.
Muslims believe that all scripture was revealed during Ramadan. The scrolls of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran have been handed down on the first, sixth, twelfth, thirteenth, and twenty-fourth of Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad is said to have received his Quranic revelation on Laylat-al-Qadr, one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last ten days of Ramadan.
