Iftaar Recipes- The holiest month on the Islamic calendar is around. Every year Ramzan witnesses millions of followers across the world partaking in what is called roza, the period of fasting. According to the Islamic tradition, the basic purpose behind keeping aroza is to instill a sense of self restraint in oneself. A typical day for the one who keeps a roza starts before dawn with a lavish meal (known as suhoor or sehri), and once the sun rises, he or she follows a strict fast until sun down, when after the evening prayer, the fast is broken and everyone get together to enjoy the Iftar feast.
The Iftar feast is literally a celebration of good food - a day-long restrain culminated into an unbridled indulgence of mouthwatering delicacies. Traditionally, one is supposed to break the roza with dates as it is believed that Prophet Mohammad also broke his fast by eating three dates.
A traditional Iftar spread is a gastronomic extravaganza; from meticulously prepared meat curries to decadent desserts, refreshing sherbets and much more. What's offered on the table is usually more than enough to satiate the hunger of the entire family. A traditional Iftar menu can be described as nothing short of spectacular with dishes likekebabs, haleem, biryani, paya, halwa,sheer khurma and phirni taking center-stage.
If you're in Delhi and in search of an authentic Iftar feast then head to Old Delhi or Nizzamuddin. The variety of Iftar recipes laced with traditional flavours will linger on your palate for days to come. And just in case you love cooking and want to re-create traditional Iftar treats in the comfort of your own home, follow our list of 10 best Iftar recipes to put together a full-fledged menu for your family.
Here Are Our 11 Best Iftar Recipes Ramadan Kareem!
Haleem is a rich mutton stew, popular in the Middle East and Asia. As common as it is in India, particularly in Hyderabad, it is surprising to know that Haleem actually has Persian roots. A delectable mutton preparation slow-cooked along with lentils, broken wheat and spices.
Haleem is relished across the world, popularly n the holy month of Ramadan.
Paya is an Urdu word that denotes the trotter or foot. This recipe of Paya curry has sheep's trotters, cooked in a luscious tomato-onion curry.It is best cooked slowly and for a longer time for the meat to get tender and acquire the best flavour. Perfect for that Iftaar party at home.
Eat it with naan or roti or you can even serve with rice.
In the east Indian state of Odisha, this lentil stew, fragrant with coconut and enriched with silky, thinly sliced onions and long-simmered sweet potatoes, is an everyday staple. Get the recipe for Lentil Stew with Coconut (Dalma) »
Triangular deep-fried pastries stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas are an iconic Indian snack. Pair them with tangy tamarind chutney or herbaceous coconut-cilantro chutney for dipping. Get the recipe for Indian Samosas »
A simple Indian croquette with fish, bold hits of cumin and green chile, and a refreshing mint chutney. This is a great way to use up leftover cooked white fish; simply substitute 8 oz. of cooked fish and skip the first step. Get the recipe for Indian Fish and Potato Croquettes »
For this Mumbai street-food snack from Raghavan Iyer, chunks of potato are dredged in a light chickpea-and-rice-flour batter that is spiced with turmeric and chile powder. The potatoes are then deep fried until a golden crust forms and served with cilantro and tamarind chutneys. The spiced batter can be also used for other vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli florets, sliced plantain, and eggplant. Get the recipe for Fried Chickpea-Battered Potatoes (Bhajiya) »
A luxurious whole fish preparation flavored with tangy tamarind and fragrant barberries, perfect for Nowruz, the Persian new year. Find barberries in well-stocked Middle Eastern groceries or online. Get the recipe for Persian Tamarind-Stuffed Fish »
Rice is a staple at most meals in Iran; tahdig, the crust of crispy rice that forms on the bottom, is the most prized part. Soaking the rice before cooking for 15 minutes helps to elongate the grains, resulting in a fluffier rice, while the towel on the lid helps to pull the moisture away during the longer cook time. Get the recipe for Persian Rice »
It is official. The first day of Ramadan 2019 in Dubai and the UAE will be Monday May 6.
Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran (the religious text of Islam) to the Prophet Mohammed. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
During this month Muslims are required to fast (sawm) from dawn until dusk; abstaining from eating and drinking, sex, smoking, and even chewing gum.
Dates – Iftar Meal
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; basic acts considered mandatory for Muslims. The others are declaration of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), charity (zakat), and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
Muslim children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the sick, and certain other categories of people are exempt from fasting.
Those observing Ramadan rise early and eat a pre-dawn meal (suhur) before the dawn prayer (fajr).
The fast is broken after sunset and evening prayer (maghrib) with an evening meal (iftar). Traditionally, the meal starts with dates.
Many Muslims gather to break their fast with others. Huge iftar tents, offering extensive buffets, are erected at major hotels.
Dubai is noticeably quieter throughout Ramadan and the pace of life much slower. Muslims will commonly greet each other with phrases such as ‘Ramadan Kareem’ and ‘Ramadan Mubarak’.
Food package being given to a worker during Ramadan
When is Ramadan in Dubai?
The month of Ramadan starts and ends with the sighting of the new moon.
In the UAE a committee of government officials, religious leaders, and astronomers (the United Arab Emirates Moon Sighting Committee) confirms the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) and the beginning of Ramadan.
In 2019 it is expected start on May 6 and end on June 3. The actual dates are dependent on the moon sighting and may vary by a day or so.
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. It has 12 months but only 354 days; shorter than the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Consequently, although Ramadan begins on the same day when using the Islamic calendar, it moves 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Shawwal is the month following Ramadan. It begins with Eid Al Fitr, a three-day public holiday in Dubai and the UAE.
The Blessed month of Ramadan will soon be upon us once again - a time for reflection, contemplation and celebration.
As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday 5th May 2019, depending on the sighting of the moon.
One of the five Pillars of Islam, sawm will begin a few hours after the sighting of the moon at sunrise and continue until sunset. It is essential to familiarise yourself with the dates and times for Ramadan 2019, as anyone who is still eating their pre-dawn meal (suhoor) following the completion of the call to prayer (Fajr) is disqualified from that day’s fast.
The day’s fast is completed at sunset and the Maghrib prayers begin. It is traditional to end your fast by eating dates before the evening meal with family and friends.
This 2019 Ramadan timetable has been provided by the East London Mosque.
* Please note that all dates and times are subject to change, depending on the sighting of the moon.
While fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam, another is the act of charity. This Ramadan, please consider giving generously via our donations page to help those less fortunate today.
