Ramadan is that time of the year for spiritual reflection, prayer, and fasting undertaken by Muslims the world over. One such looked-forward-to periods within this holy month is iftar—the evening meal where one breaks the fast. It is a time to bond with family and friends and relish good food after a day of fasting. Here are five mouthwatering recipes that will make your iftar gathering special:.
Table of Contents
Ramadan Iftar Recipes #1 Dates and Cheese Rolls
It is standard tradition to break the fast with confectionery delicacies during Ramadan. Dates hold a place of pride in any iftar menu, as they signify nourishment and heritage. Rolling creamy cheese with natural sweetness from dates offers a fine balance of flavors to create an irresistible snack. Here’s one simple but irresistible recipe for dates and cheese rolls that will surely enhance your Ramadan iftar spread:.
Ingredients For Dates And Cheese Rolls
- 10 dates, pitted
- 5 slices of cheese, cut into strips
- 10 spring roll wrappers
- Oil for frying
Instructions For Dates And Cheese Rolls
Prepare the Dates and Cheese Filling
- Stuff each pitted date with a strip of cheese, filling the cavity that is left by the pit. Press very lightly to hold the cheese in place within the date.
Assemble the Rolls
- Take the bottom corner and fold over, tucking the date inside. Next, tuck in the two side corners.
- Roll up the wrapper for the burrito package, tucking cheese inside to secure the date.
- Add just a little bit of water to the top corner of the wrapper to seal.
- Repeat with remaining dates and wrappers.
Fry the Rolls
- Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or in a deep pot over medium heat.
- Roll out the smooth rolls into hot oil—do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes cooking. Occasionally, I swirl them by turning them around.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rolls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil.
Serve and Enjoy
- Allow the Dates and Cheese Rolls some time to rest before serving and presenting them.
- They are best warmed, but they are quite nice at room temperature as well.
- Serve and enjoy them as a great addition to your other sweet and savory iftar treats.
Ramadan Iftar Recipes #2 Spinach and Cheese Fatayer
With Ramadan just around the corner, each family is surrounded by the aroma of exotic dishes while they dish out mouthwatering meals to enjoy with loved ones at iftar. Spinach and Cheese Fatayer brings a fine combination of savory tastes and tender textures in a Middle Eastern pastry. These savory hand pies will be just right for sharing with your loved ones, a must-try, and surely to become one of your favorites at your iftar gatherings. Now, let’s dive into this, the most delightful recipe, imbuing a Middle Eastern touch in your Ramadan table.
Ingredients For Spinach And Cheese Fatayer
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions For Spinach And Cheese Fatayer
Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix yeast and sugar into the warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to froth.
- In a big mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Create a well at the center and add in the yeast mixture with the olive oil.
- Mix until dough forms then knead on floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling
- In a pan, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion. Let them sweat a bit.
- Add the chopped spinach into the skillet and cook it until wilted. Take it off the heat and let it cool down a bit.
- Combine the cooked spinach mixture with crumbled feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper in the mixing bowl. Mix well, so that all ingredients are well incorporated.
Assemble the Fatayer
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking pan; set aside.
- Punch down risen dough and divide into small balls, about the size of a walnut.
- Roll each ball thin, about 1/4 inch.
- Put a spoonful of the spinach and cheese filling in the center of the dough circle.
- Fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling, pinching the edges together to seal or forming a triangle.
- Repeat the process with the others.
Bake the Fatayer
- Place the assembled fatayer on the ready baking sheet, spacing them out from each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the fatayer are golden and crispy on edges.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool a bit before serving.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the Spinach and Cheese Fatayer warm or at room temperature.
- These savory pastries can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a refreshing salad or yogurt sauce.
- Share these delicious fatayer with family and friends during Ramadan iftar, and savor the delightful flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Ramadan Iftar Recipes #3 Healthy Fruit Chaat
In Ramadan, it becomes imperative to refuel and rehydrate the body with healthy and nourishing foods after breaking the fast with iftar. This colorful medley of fresh fruits tossed in tangy spices and zesty lemon juice is a favorite for iftar across many cultures. Fruit Chaat is quite refreshing and caters to most of the nutritional needs with its supply of vitamins and minerals; further, it is sweet and savory. Let us see how to prepare this refreshing Fruit Chaat that will make your Ramadan iftar table very inviting.
Ingredients For Healthy Fruit Chaat
- Assorted fruits (such as apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, and pomegranate seeds)
- Chaat masala
- Lemon juice
- Chopped mint leaves
- Roasted cumin powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions For Healthy Fruit Chaat
Prepare the Fruits
- Wash and peel off, if necessary. Dice them into bite-sized portions.
- Rub with lemon juice if apples or bananas are used to prevent browning.
Assemble the Fruit Chaat
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the assorted fruits.
- Sprinkle chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, salt, and chopped mint leaves over the fruits. You may adjust their amounts as per your taste.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fruits to enhance the flavors and give a refreshing tanginess.
Toss and Chill
- Gently toss the fruits with the spices until everything is well combined, making sure each fruit piece is coated by the seasoning.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the Fruit Chaat for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chaat to chill.
Serve and Enjoy
- Take out the Fruit Chaat from the refrigerator when it has chilled, then give it a final toss.
- Transfer the Fruit Chaat to a serving bowl or individual plates.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint leaves to add that pop of color and freshness.
- Serve immediately this refreshing Fruit Chaat as a nice appetizer or side dish during Ramadan iftar.
Ramadan Iftar Recipes #4 Keema Samosa
Samosas epitomize an ethic offering, one that symbolizes snacks during Ramadan iftar sessions. The crispy, golden parcel is fretted with flavorful filling that will leave your senses in high spirits. Amongst such a wide array of varieties in samosas, Keema Samosas take a special place because of their savory filling of spiced minced meat. We present a recipe that will guarantee to turn your taste buds on and enhance your iftar table.
Ingredients for Keema Filling
- 250g minced meat (Chicken, Beef or Lamb)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Ingredients for Samosa Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons ghee or melted butter
- Water, as needed
- Salt to taste
Instructions For Keema Samosa
Prepare the Keema Filling
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add minced garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add the minced meat and cook until it turns brown, breaking up any lumps with a spoon.
- Stir in coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and the flavors are well combined.
- Remove from heat and let the filling cool. Stir in chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Prepare the Samosa Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, melted ghee or butter, and salt.
- Gradually add water and knead the dough to make it smooth and pliable. Cover it with a damp cloth and rest for 30 minutes.
Assemble the Samosa
- First of all, the dough has to be divided into equal small balls. Each of these balls has to be rolled out thin in an oval or round shape.
- Next, each of the rolled-out doughs has to be cut into halves so that they are in the form of semi-circles.
- Take one semi-circle and fold it in the form of a cone; then close it at its edges with water.
- Fill in the cone with a spoonful of prepared keema filling—leave a little at the top.
- Dampen edges of the cone and seal tightly to make a triangle, then form the shape of a samosa. Press at the edges very well so that edges get sealed properly. Do the same with rest of the dough and filling.
Fry the Samosa
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, slide in the prepared samosas and gently drop them one by one. Do not overcrowd.
- Fry till golden brown and crispy from all sides. Turn them occasionally for even cooking.
- Once done, remove the fried samosas from the oil with a slotted spoon and put them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the Keema Samosas piping hot and crunchy, with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney. While they are best when fresh, the samosas can be stored in an airtight container and then reheated inside the oven before serving.
Ramadan Iftar Recipes #5 Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma is an authentic Middle Eastern dish, added with a twist to spice up iftar tables during Ramadan. With its tender, marinated chicken slices, fragrant spices, and creamy sauces, this dish is sure to be a favorite among families and communities during this holy month. Let us get into a mouth-watering Chicken Shawarma recipe that will elevate the experience of Ramadan iftar and leave everyone wanting more.
Ingredients For Chicken Shawarma
For the Marinade
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce for serving
- Tahini sauce or garlic sauce for serving
For Serving
Pita bread or flatbreads
Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce
Tahini sauce or garlic sauce
Pickles and olives (optional)
Instructions For Chicken Shawarma
Prepare the Marinade
- Combine the minced garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper for your marinade, in a bowl.
- Add chicken, sliced thin, to the marinade, making sure each is coated well. Either leave covered and refrigerated for at least 1 hour or, better yet, overnight.
Cook the Chicken
- Warm up your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken slices onto skewers or place directly on the grill.
- Grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
Prepare the Shawarma Wraps
- Warm pita bread or flatbread on the grill or in a skillet over medium-low heat until it gets soft, lightly toasted.
- Place a few slices of grilled chicken onto each warm pita bread.
- Top with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce.
- Drizzle with tahini sauce or garlic sauce.
- Add pickles and olives if desired.
Wrap and Serve
- Roll up the pita bread tightly to enclose the filling.
- Serve the Chicken Shawarma wraps immediately, warm and fresh.
Summary
Five recipes to delight your taste buds this Ramadan These are sure to make your Ramadan iftar gatherings memorable. If you want savory dishes, look no more—chicken biryani and veggie samosas have your back. Maybe you are one of those who crave just a bit of sweetness, dates or cheese rolls. There is a little bit to taste for everyone during this very special occasion. Wishing that your Ramadan be graced with great food, loving moments with family and friends, and blissful times together.
