Middle Eastern Recipes for Ramadan Iftar

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and spiritual growth, is a time for family, friends, and community to come together and break their fast with a delicious Iftar feast. In the Middle East, where Ramadan traditions are steeped in culture and history, the evening meal is a cherished occasion to indulge in delicious local cuisine. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply looking to try new recipes, Middle Eastern food is known for its bold flavors, aromas, and spices that will tantalize your taste buds. In this article, we’ll explore five mouth-watering recipes perfect for Ramadan Iftar.

These five Middle Eastern recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings and delight your loved ones. From crispy falafel to savory stuffed pita bread, each dish offers a unique combination of flavors and textures that are sure to impress. Whether you’re making these recipes for yourself or for a large gathering, they’re sure to become a staple in your Ramadan celebrations. So, let’s dive in and explore these delicious recipes that will make your Iftar a memorable one.

Falafel Wraps

The falafel wrap is a popular street food in the Middle East, made with crispy, flavorful falafel patties wrapped in a soft pita bread with your choice of toppings. This dish is a staple in many Middle Eastern countries and is often served as a quick and delicious snack or meal.

Falafel is a deep-fried chickpea patty made with ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. To make falafel, you’ll need to soak and grind the chickpeas, then mix them with a blend of spices, herbs, and lemon juice. The mixture is then shaped into patties and deep-fried until crispy and golden.

Ingredients:

– 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– Vegetable oil, for frying
– 4 pita breads
– Toppings, such as hummus, tahini sauce, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and pickles

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the chickpeas, garlic, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, and spices. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
3. Shape the paste into patties and coat with flour.
4. Fry the falafel for 3-4 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden.
5. Warm the pita breads by wrapping them in foil and heating them in the oven for a few minutes.
6. Assemble the wraps by spreading hummus or tahini sauce on the pita, followed by a few falafel patties, toppings of your choice, and finishing with the other half of the pita bread.

Chicken Kofta

Chicken kofta is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a side of rice and vegetables. This dish is a staple in many Middle Eastern countries and is often served as a main course or as a snack.

Chicken kofta is made by marinating chicken breast or thighs in a blend of spices, herbs, and yogurt, then skewering them and grilling them until cooked through. To make chicken kofta, you’ll need to mix together the chicken with a blend of spices, herbs, and yogurt, then shape them into skewers and grill them until cooked through.

Ingredients:

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 1/2 cup plain yogurt
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 10 bamboo skewers
– 1 cup basmati rice
– 2 cups water

Instruction:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the chicken, yogurt, garlic, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
3. Thread the chicken mixture onto the skewers, leaving space between each piece.
4. Brush the skewers with a little bit of oil and grill for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Cook the basmati rice according to the package instructions.
6. Serve the chicken kofta with a side of rice and your choice of vegetables.

Fattoush Salad

Fattoush salad is a popular Middle Eastern salad made with toasted bread, mixed greens, and a variety of vegetables. This salad is a staple in many Middle Eastern countries and is often served as a side dish or as a light meal.

Fattoush salad is made by toasting bread, mixing it with a blend of greens, vegetables, and a tangy dressing. To make fattoush salad, you’ll need to toast bread until crispy, then mix it with a combination of greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, and a tangy dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.

Ingredients:

– 4 cups mixed greens
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cup cucumber, sliced
– 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup pita bread, toasted and broken into pieces
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instruction:

1. Toast the pita bread in the oven for a few minutes until crispy.
2. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
4. Add the toasted bread, parsley, mint, salt, and pepper to the bowl and toss to combine.
5. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
6. Serve the fattoush salad immediately.

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is a popular Middle Eastern soup made with red or green lentils, onions, garlic, and a variety of spices. This soup is a staple in many Middle Eastern countries and is often served as a main course or as a snack.

To make lentil soup, you’ll need to sauté onions and garlic until softened, then add lentils, broth, and a blend of spices, and simmer until the lentils are tender. To make lentil soup, you’ll need to sauté onions and garlic until softened, then add lentils, broth, and a blend of spices, and simmer until the lentils are tender.

Ingredients:

– 1 cup dried red or green lentils
– 2 cups water
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon ground coriander
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instruction:

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
3. Add the lentils, water, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
5. Serve the lentil soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Stuffed Pita Bread

Stuffed pita bread is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with a soft pita bread filled with a variety of ingredients such as ground meat, spices, and herbs. This dish is a staple in many Middle Eastern countries and is often served as a snack or as a light meal.

To make stuffed pita bread, you’ll need to fill a soft pita bread with a blend of ground meat, spices, and herbs, then grill or bake until crispy and golden. To make stuffed pita bread, you’ll need to fill a soft pita bread with a blend of ground meat, spices, and herbs, then grill or bake until crispy and golden.

Ingredients:

– 4 pita breads
– 1 pound ground meat (beef, lamb, or a combination of the two)
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon ground paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instruction:

1. Preheat the grill or oven to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until a smooth paste forms.
3. Place a piece of pita bread on a flat surface and spread a tablespoon of the meat mixture onto one half of the pita.
4. Fold the other half of the pita over the filling and press the edges to seal.
5. Brush the pita with a little bit of oil and grill or bake until crispy and golden.
6. Serve the stuffed pita bread hot and enjoy!