14 February, 2023
Ramadan Recipes: Traditional Dishes to Celebrate the Holy Month
The Holy Month of Ramadan, which is celebrated all over the world, comes with its own set of traditions and customs. Along with these different traditions comes the need for a different set of food receipts to be served during the month.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the delicious and unique Ramadan dishes served during this Holy Month.
Suqaar
One of the most popular dishes served during Ramadan in Somalia is Suqaar, which is diced meat cooked with onions and spices. The dish is usually served with rice and vegetables, and it is often eaten as part of a main meal or as a side dish.
How to Prepare:
- Warm up some oil in a skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion, and sprinkle with some salt. Cook the meat and onion together, stirring occasionally, until they're both browned evenly and tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add carrots, cumin and turmeric, then add a large pinch of salt. Stir in 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook until carrots and pepper are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off, stir in the lime juice. Season with cilantro and serve. You can refrigerate leftovers and then reheat if needed.
Ramazan çorbası
This delicious soup is made with tender lamb or beef broth, vermicelli noodles and seasonal vegetables. It's typically served as an appetiser before the main meal, but it's also a great choice for dinner on its own. Is one of the most common dishes to open the Iftar in Turkey. It's a warm and filling dish that's sure to please any crowd.
How to Prepare:
- Put the following ingredients in a pot: lentils, onion, potato, carrot, garlic, spices, and water. Put the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Boil the lentils, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until all ingredients are tender.
- Use a blender or food processor to mix the ingredients. Make sure it is smooth.
- Finish the soup. Put the blended lentil soup back into the pot. Set it over the lowest heat and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes so the flavours can merge.
- Make the sauce. Add olive oil, tomato paste, paprika, and dried mint to a saucepan. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
- To serve, stir the sauce into the blended lentil soup or drizzle it over the top. Traditionally, lemon wedges and extra spices like red pepper flakes and mint are always served on the side.
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a popular Lebanese mezze dish that is often served as an appetiser or side dish. It can also be enjoyed as a main course, either on its own or wrapped in flatbread. The dish is made up of toasted wheat berries and other vegetables that are mixed with toasted bulgur, dried mint, and olive oil.
How to Prepare:
- To make tabbouleh, soak the bulgur wheat in water for about 30 minutes. This helps to soften the wheat and makes it easier to chew. Once the wheat has soaked, it's drained and squeezed out of any excess water.
- The next step is to add the chopped vegetables to the wheat. It includes tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, parsley, and onions. Chop the vegetables into small pieces so that they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Once the vegetables are added, the tabbouleh is seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. It gives the salad a bright and flavorful taste. Tabbouleh is typically served at room temperature or chilled.
Dolma
Dolma, or stuffed vegetables, is a traditional dish in Middle East and Mediterranean cuisine. It's made with a variety of vegetables that are stuffed with rice, meat, or other ingredients, and can be served both warm or cold, with a variety of sauces, such as yoghurt, tahini, or garlic sauce.
How to prepare:
- Start by blanching the grape leaves in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them.
- Lay out a leaf on a work surface and add a small spoonful of filling to the centre.
- Fold up the sides of the leaf to enclose the filling, then place the dolma in a steamer basket or on a plate. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
- Once all of the dolma are assembled, steam them for 20-30 minutes until cooked through.
During Ramadan, people around the world enjoy many different dishes. No matter what they're called or how they're made, they help bring people together during this special time of year.
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