Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims around the world. During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and break their fast with a meal known as Iftar. Iftar is a time to share food with family and friends and to break the day-long fast. In this article, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the best Ramadan recipes for a delicious Iftar.
Best Ramadan Recipes for Delicious Iftar
Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish that is loved for its juicy and flavorful chicken, and it can be served in a variety of ways, such as in a wrap or with rice. It’s a great addition to any iftar table because it is easy to make and can be prepared in advance.
Samosas
Samosas are a staple in many cultures during Ramadan and are a popular snack because they are crispy, savory, and easy to eat. They are also easy to make in large batches, which makes them a great option for feeding a crowd.
Rooh Afza
Rooh Afza is a refreshing drink that is widely consumed during Ramadan. It is sweet and satisfying and is a great way to break your fast.
Fruit Chaat
Fruit Chaat is a healthy and delicious way to break your fast during Ramadan. It is easy to make and can be customized to include your favorite fruits.
Kebabs
Kebabs are a popular dish in many cultures and can be made with a variety of meats and spices. They are also easy to prepare and can be grilled or baked depending on your preference.
Haleem
Haleem is a hearty and nutritious dish that is commonly consumed during Ramadan. It is made with a combination of grains, meat, and spices, and is slow-cooked to achieve a creamy and flavorful consistency.
Dates
Dates Dates are a traditional food that is consumed to break the fast during Ramadan. They are a good source of energy and are also packed with nutrients, making them a healthy addition to your iftar table.
Pakoras
Pakoras are a crispy and savory snack that is widely popular during Ramadan. They are easy to make and can be made with a variety of vegetables, making them a great way to incorporate more veggies into your diet.
Koshari
Koshari is a hearty Egyptian dish that is easy to make and is perfect for feeding a crowd. It is made with a combination of rice, lentils, and pasta, and is topped with a flavorful tomato sauce and fried onions.
Chicken Mandi
Chicken Mandi is a flavorful Yemeni dish that is easy to make and is perfect for special occasions like Ramadan. It is made with a combination of chicken, rice, and spices, and is slow-cooked to achieve a tender and fragrant dish.
How to make these recipes
Here is the making procedure for these recipes.
Chicken Shawarma
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thigh, sliced into thin strips
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Add the sliced chicken to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the marinated chicken out on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Serve the chicken shawarma with warm pita bread, hummus, and your favorite toppings.
Samosas
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil, for frying
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the vegetable oil and water, and mix until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes soft and pliable. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set aside.
- In a saucepan, boil the diced potatoes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, ginger, and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the boiled potatoes, peas, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into circles using a biscuit cutter or the rim of a drinking glass.
- Place a spoonful of the vegetable filling onto one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal the samosa.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the samosas until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Drain the samosas on a paper towel-lined plate and serve hot.
Dates
Ingredients:
- Medjool dates, pitted
Instructions:
- Wash the dates in cold water and pat dry with a towel.
- Cut a small slit down the side of each date and remove the pit.
- Serve the dates on a platter and enjoy.
Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil over high heat. Add the red lentils and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
- In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the sautéed vegetables to the pot of lentils. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes until the soup is heated through.
- Serve the lentil soup hot with lemon wedges and chopped cilantro for garnish.
Fattoush Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 pita bread, toasted and broken into pieces
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Add the toasted pita bread pieces to the salad and toss again.
- Serve the fattoush salad chilled.
Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Grill the chicken kebabs for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Serve the chicken kebabs with a side salad or grilled vegetables.
Spinach Fatayer
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 lb spinach, washed and chopped
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of water, and knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- In a separate pan, heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the chopped spinach to the pan and sauté for another 5-7 minutes until the spinach is wilted and cooked down. Season with cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut it into circles using a cookie cutter or a glass. Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the center of each circle and fold the edges over the filling to form a triangle shape. Press the edges together to seal.
- Place the spinach fatayer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Serve the spinach fatayer hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Lamb Kofta
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1/2 onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Divide the lamb mixture into 8-10 portions and shape each portion into a cylindrical or oval-shaped kofta.
- Thread the kofta onto the soaked wooden skewers and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the lamb kofta for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Serve the lamb kofta hot with a side of tzatziki or hummus.
Koshari
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rice, brown lentils, and elbow macaroni separately according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes and their juices to the pan. Stir in the cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the tomato sauce is thickened and flavorful.
- To assemble the koshari, layer the cooked rice, brown lentils, and elbow macaroni in a large serving dish. Pour the tomato sauce over the top and mix well to combine. 5. Serve the koshari hot with a side of fried onions and/or a dollop of plain yogurt.
Chicken Mandi
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 cups basmati rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 4 cups water
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season with cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, and salt. Sauté the chicken for about 10 minutes until it is browned on all sides.
- Add the soaked basmati rice to the pot and stir to coat it in the chicken and spice mixture. Add 4 cups of water to the pot and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer the chicken mandi for about 20-25 minutes until the rice is cooked through and the chicken is tender.
- Serve the chicken mandi hot with a side of tomato and cucumber salad, and a drizzle of yogurt sauce if desired.
Enjoy these delicious Ramadan recipes at your iftar table this year!
Conclusion
These 10 Ramadan recipes are sure to make your Iftar meals delicious and memorable. Whether you’re looking for savory dishes, sweet treats, or refreshing drinks, there’s something for everyone on this list. Try out these recipes and enjoy the flavors of Ramadan with your loved ones.
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