Iftar Recipes to Try This Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of spiritual growth, forgiveness, and community. As we break our fast with family and friends, it’s a great opportunity to create new memories and traditions. One of the ways we can make our Iftar gatherings more special is by trying out new recipes that are not only delicious but also reflect the diversity and richness of our cultural heritage.

During Ramadan, it’s common to gather with loved ones and indulge in a variety of finger foods and drinks that are both refreshing and nourishing. From crispy fried treats to soothing soups and refreshing desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In this article, we’ll explore five mouth-watering Iftar recipes that you can try this Ramadan, including Chicken Pakora, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Lentil Soup (Shorbat Adas), Stuffed Dates with Nuts, and Fruit Chaat.

Chicken Pakora

Fried to perfection and served hot with a side of chutney or raita, Chicken Pakora is a popular Iftar snack that’s both easy to make and addictive to eat. This crispy Indian-inspired dish consists of marinated chicken pieces coated in a mixture of gram flour, spices, and herbs, then deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a crunchy exterior giving way to juicy and flavorful chicken.

Ingredients

– 500g boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 cup gram flour (also known as chickpea flour)
– 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
– 1 teaspoon cumin powder
– 1 teaspoon coriander powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons yogurt
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Chopped cilantro or scallions for garnish

Instruction

1. In a large bowl, mix together the gram flour, garam masala, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the lemon juice, yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl and mix well.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix until they are well coated.
4. Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
5. When the oil is hot, add a few pieces of the marinated chicken to the pan and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Remove the fried chicken from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
7. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
8. Serve the Chicken Pakora hot with your favorite chutney or raita.

Vegetable Spring Rolls

These crunchy and refreshing spring rolls are a great way to enjoy the flavors of spring in Ramadan. Made with a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, these crispy delights are easy to make and fun to eat.

Ingredients

– 1 package of spring roll wrappers (about 20-24 wrappers)
– 1 cup shredded cabbage
– 1 cup grated carrots
– 1 cup sliced cucumbers
– 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional)
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced cucumbers, and chopped cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sugar, and vegetable oil.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the vegetables and mix well.
4. Lay a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface, with one corner pointing towards you.
5. Place about 1 tablespoon of the vegetable mixture in the center of the wrapper.
6. Brush the edges of the wrapper with a little water.
7. Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up the wrapper to form a tight cylinder.
8. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
9. Heat about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
10. When the oil is hot, add a few spring rolls to the pan and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
11. Remove the fried spring rolls from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
12. Serve the Vegetable Spring Rolls hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Lentil Soup (Shorbat Adas)

This comforting and nutritious soup is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine and is perfect for Iftar. Made with red or brown lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices, this hearty soup is easy to make and soothing to eat.

Ingredients

– 1 cup dried red or brown lentils, washed and drained
– 2 cups water or vegetable broth
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 carrot, chopped
– 1 celery stalk, chopped
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon ground coriander
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Instruction

1. In a large pot, combine the lentils and water or broth.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
3. In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium heat.
4. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pan and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper (if using).
6. Add the cooked vegetables to the pot with the lentils.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the Lentil Soup hot, garnished with chopped parsley or cilantro.

Stuffed Dates with Nuts

These sweet and savory dates are a classic Iftar treat that’s both easy to make and delicious to eat. Stuffed with a mixture of chopped nuts, spices, and honey, these dates are a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients

– 12-15 pitted dates
– 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)

Instruction

1. In a small bowl, mix together the chopped nuts, honey, parsley, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
2. Stuff each date with a small spoonful of the nut mixture and seal the opening with a toothpick (if needed).
3. If using mint, sprinkle a few leaves on top of each stuffed date.
4. Serve the Stuffed Dates with Nuts as a sweet and savory treat at Iftar.

Fruit Chaat

This refreshing and colorful fruit salad is a great way to end your Iftar meal. Made with a variety of fruits, including pineapple, orange, and berries, this fruit chaat is easy to make and fun to eat.

Ingredients

– 1 cup diced pineapple
– 1 cup diced orange
– 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
– 1 cup diced mango (optional)
– 1/4 cup granola or chopped nuts
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Salt to taste

Instruction

1. In a large bowl, combine the diced pineapple, orange, and berries.
2. If using mango, add it to the bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the granola or chopped nuts, honey, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Pour the sauce mixture over the fruit and mix well.
5. Serve the Fruit Chaat chilled or at room temperature.
6. Enjoy as a sweet and refreshing treat at Iftar.