Ramadan food – the best recipes!
Dear all! Ramadan is just around the corner and I’m really looking forward to it. Ramadan is a time that always brings back very positive memories for my family and me. The appreciation of food, the creativity of mothers in the kitchen and being together as a family and often several families is something very special at this time. Here I would like to introduce you to over 10 Ramadan recipes that I always like to prepare. I hope you enjoy cooking ❤️.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a significant time in the Islamic calendar, celebrated by millions of Muslims around the world. It is a month of devotion, fasting, prayer and self-reflection. During this time, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset to deepen their spiritual connection and show gratitude.
Ramadan meal
Aside from its spiritual significance, Ramadan is also a time when culinary creativity flourishes. From rich soups to exquisite desserts, there is an abundance of traditional dishes that are shared with family and friends. Every household has its own favorite recipes and traditions that make this time of year special.
Iftar & Sahur – what does that mean?
“Iftar” and “Sahur” are two terms used in connection with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
Iftar: This is the Arabic word for breaking the fast. It refers to the meal that Muslims eat after sunset during Ramadan to break their fast. The time of iftar is announced by the call to prayer for the evening prayer, also known as “adhan”.
Sahur: This is the meal that Muslims eat before sunrise during Ramadan, before they fast. It is often referred to as ‘breakfast’ before the start of fasting. Sahur is typically eaten before dawn and ends with the call to prayer for the morning prayer, the “Fajr-Adhan”.
Ramadan Recipes – Soup, Breads & Sahur Food
During Ramadan, soups are popular for their nutrients and soothing effect. Breads, such as pita or herb breads, are a main component and provide essential carbohydrates. At the pre-dawn sahur meal, protein and carbohydrate-rich options such as egg dishes or porridge are common to fortify believers for the fasting day. I have summarized some recipes for you below.
Try this simple menemen recipe that combines soft scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers and onions! The whole thing is prepared in a pan in a flash – in 20 minutes or even less. Perfect for breakfast, so for sahur!
Shakhshuka is not only an authentic dish, but also a super simple and incredibly tasty breakfast treat. This simple and delicious dish with spicy tomato sauce and poached eggs makes for satisfying moments of indulgence. Served straight from the pan, we enjoy it with a piece of flatbread.
Moghrabieh is a traditional dish from Arabic cuisine that is characterized by its characteristic round, pearl-sized grains of couscous. This special couscous is called moghrabieh, hence the name of this dish.
Fattoush is an Arabic salad – super simple and extremely tasty! The special thing about fattoush is the crispy baked bread that is mixed with the salad. I added chickpeas to my recipe, which is not that common – but I think it went really well together!
The Indian flatbread Amritsari Kulcha is simply delicious. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, filled with aromatic spices and potato. For me, it is one of the best stuffed flatbread recipes – you really must try it!
Aloo means potato in Pakistani and paratha is the buttery flatbread that is filled with ingredients. In Pakistan and India, paratha is usually enjoyed with a delicious yogurt dip, spicy pickled vegetables and a delicious cup of chai.
Some days there is simply nothing better than a warm soup. Take this Arabic lentil soup, for example. It’s so delicious and super easy! The special thing about this soup is the crispy flatbread chips. You absolutely have to try it!
Chana Chaat – a refreshing, spicy, sweet and slightly hot chickpea salad. Inspired by Pakistani and Indian street food cuisine, this salad is perfect as a snack, starter or light Hauptgericht❤️
Ramadan Iftar recipes – Main course
While some families opt for festive, elaborately prepared dishes, others may prefer simpler, yet delicious options. Regardless of the choice of dishes, the focus is on the shared meal, where families, friends and communities join together to celebrate the spiritual significance of fasting and support each other. Below I have summarized some recipes for every occasion.
Do you like the combination of rice and chicken as much as I do? Then I have the perfect dish for you today: a Pakistani pilaf – unbelievably delicious and you absolutely have to try it!
Today I would like to present a recipe that is not only a treat for the palate, but also offers a culinary journey into Turkish cuisine: Stuffed peppers with minced meat, inspired by the traditional dolma recipe.
Kebab Koobideh, also known as Persian kebabs, is a traditional dish from Iran. In my family, this minced meat recipe in combination with saffron rice and onion salad is very popular! I
Palak paneer is a classic of Indian cuisine that pampers the senses with its delicious combination of fresh spinach leaves and creamy paneer, an Indian cheese.
Meatballs are a timeless classic that have found their place in many countries. I bake my meatballs with potatoes, onions and tomatoes in the oven at a low temperature and then pour a delicious tahini and lemon sauce over them. I got the inspiration for this delicious oven recipe from Arabic cuisine, where this dish is called “Kafta bil Tahini“.
Kadhi Pakora is a traditional North Indian and Pakistani dish consisting of a creamy chickpea flour-based yogurt curry. It is served with pakoras (vegetable chickpea flour balls).
My freekeh recipe with chicken and lemon is real soul food. And if you’re new here and don’t know what freekeh is, don’t worry! I’ll not only show you this delicious recipe, but also summarize all the important information about freekeh for you.
Lahmacun is an extremely thin, crispy pizza topped with a tasty mixture of chopped meat, peppers, tomatoes, fresh herbs and spicy seasoning. I hope you enjoy baking & feasting 🧡.
Good olive oil and sumac play a major role in musakhan. A good olive oil can also be heated, hence the name “musakhan” (to heat). In combination with sumac and a little salt, the result is an explosion of flavor that you would not expect from so “few” ingredients.
Chicken Biriyani – the queen
Briyani. Today I would like to introduce you to a very special recipe: Chicken Biryani! I associate many wonderful memories from my life with this dish. This dish was and is part of almost every celebration that I experienced as a child and still experience today🧡.
Kashmiri Dum Aloo! It’s incredibly delicious and the preparation is actually super easy! Especially when it’s cold and rainy outside. Then this dish is just the thing! I hope you enjoy trying out this recipe 🧡.
Matar Paneer is a delicious vegetarian dish from Indian cuisine that offers a perfect combination of soft paneer (Indian cream cheese) and juicy peas (peas). The creamy, spicy tomato sauce (masala) gives this dish an unmistakable taste.
Ramadan recipes – Desserts
From traditional desserts like baklava, a delicious pastry made from thin layers of dough and nuts, to crunchy sweets like jalebi, deep-fried dough spirals, to refreshing treats like fruit salads and yogurt with honey, there are plenty of sweets to brighten up the iftar table. I have summarized some sweet recipes for you below.
This simple baklava recipe with a delicious walnut and cinnamon filling is a traditional Arabic recipe consisting of crispy layers of filo pastry and finely chopped nuts. It is then topped with a delicious sugar syrup. So if you’re looking for an indulgent treat, this baklava recipe is for you. It perfectly combines sweetness, crunchiness and butteriness and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make baklava yourself!
Jalebis are Pakistani/Indian sweets that are very popular there. However, jalebis are also found in many other oriental countries. They are called a little differently everywhere: Jilibes, Jelibis, Jaleb.
Falooda is a cold dessert and very popular in Pakistan. The basic ingredients here are glass noodles, chia seeds (or basil seeds), cold milk, ice cream and rose syrup. Even though it is hardly known here, I can well imagine that many people will enjoy it. Falooda is very easy to prepare, which is why it’s hard to imagine the street food scene in Pakistan without it.
Simply note these recipes on Pinterest
On Pinterest, you can easily and conveniently save my recipes. Just click here, pick one you like, and pin it to one of your boards.
Click on a picture of a recipe and the “Pin” button from Pinterest will appear at the top left. Simply click on it.
What do you think of my Ramadan dishes?
Have you tried a Ramadan recipe? I look forward to your feedback here under the recipe. You can also find me on Instagram. There, too, I’m happy if you add your “mustard”, follow me or share or like your favorite recipe.
If you have tried this recipe, please leave me a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Now I wish you lots of fun preparing it!
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