It is often said that the route to a man or woman’s heart is through her stomach. The same could potentially be said if you want to understand another culture better. Despite being a time of fasting, Ramadan is also a celebration of food in the Islamic world, with some amazing feasts being held after sunset each day at the meal known as iftar or the . If you saw the title of this post, and then asked yourself “when is Ramadan?” you’re in luck. Ramadan 2019 began on May 5th, and will continue until June 4th. So now is the perfect time to try out some amazing Ramadan Iftar recipes, and what recipe group is more fun and enjoyable than desserts.
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Yazidi Cakes
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Sweet little cakes that are made with a recipe that is passed down from mother to daughter from generation to generation. Something to really enjoy after a hard day’s fast.
Preparation – Twenty Minutes
Cooking time – Twenty Five Minutes
Total Time – Forty Five Minutes
Ingredients
- Two cups all-purpose flour
- One teaspoon of baking powder
- Four eggs
- One and one quarter cup white sugar
- One and one half cup melted butter
- One cup plain yogurt (you can chose flavoured if you’d like to add something extra)
- One and one half teaspoons of ground cardamom
- One tablespoon of rosewater
- Half a cup of blanched slivered almonds
- One and one half tablespoons of chopped pistachio nuts
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Step One
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Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl, then set that mixture to one side. Grease the cups of a cupcake pan with space for 24 cakes.
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Step Two
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Combine the eggs and sugar in a heatproof bowl and set that on top of a pan of simmering water. Beat this mixture for approximately eight minutes, using a whisk or electric mixer. If eight mins pass and the mixture is not thick and pale continue until it is. Then take the mixture away from the heat continue to beat for ten minutes until the mixture is cooled. Blend in the butter, yogurt, cardamom and rose water. Then gently stir in the flour and baking powder mixture, and then fold in the slivered almonds. Spoon this into the into the cupcake moulds, filling each one approximately two-thirds to three-full. Sprinkle in some chopped pistachios over the top, using a spoon to make sure they have adhered into the mixture.
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Step Three
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Bake until firm to the touch and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
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Persian Halva
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A classic recipe that is popular all across the Middle East, in this particular instance Halva is given a distinct and specific Persian twist.
Preparation – Ten Minutes
Cooking time – Ten Minutes
Total Time – One Hour, Twenty Minutes
Ingredients
- One cup white sugar
- Half a cup of water
- Quarter a cup of rosewater
- Three Saffron threads
- One cup of butter (unsalted)
- One and one half cups of all purpose flour
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Step One
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Mix the water and sugar and then boil them in a saucepan, this should only take five minutes for all the sugar to dissolve. Then stir in the rosewater and saffron, and once they are fully mixed in remove the pan from the heat.
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Step Two
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Using a low heat, melt the butter in a larger saucepan on a low heat. Once its fully melted stir in the flour until it becomes a smooth paste. Then leave the heat on until the paste resembles a golden amber hue.
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Step Three
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Slowly whisk the sugar mixture into the freshly golden paste until everything reaches a smooth consistency. Spread the mixture out onto a plate and using a knife, fork, or other implement, make a decorative pattern in the top of the halva. Then using clingfilm/saranwrap, cover the mixture and leave to refrigerate for one hour.
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Kulfi Ice Lollies
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In the heat of the desert, it is hardly surprising that frozen treats are popular. No cooking time here, only a long and patient time in the freezer.
Preparation – Ten Minutes
Total Time – Nine hours and ten minutes
Ingredients
- Two five ounce cans of evaporated milk
- Two seven ounce cans of table cream
- One fourteen ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- Two slices of white bread
- Quarter teaspoon of ground cardamom
- Twelve blanched almonds
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Step One
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Put the evaporated milk, canned cream, and sweetened condensed milk into a blender
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Step Two
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Tear the bread slices into small pieces, and add them along with the cardamom and almonds into the blender. Blend this mixture for three to four minutes until it is all fully liquified.
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Step Three
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Pour into serving glasses, and place into the freezer for nine hours (overnight). Retrieve from the freezer, serve and enjoy!
These recipes and far more besides show the world that Ramadan is no mere puritan display of self deprivation. It is a time of celebration, enjoyment, and family togetherness as people come together to enjoy food, fellowship, and festivities. If you see any friends or relatives of the Muslim faith this season, be sure to say to them “Ramadan Mubarak!”