Ramadan is a significant month for Muslims in the subcontinent, particularly in Pakistan. In addition to the religious significance, Ramadan also has cultural and social importance in Pakistan, where families and friends come together to share meals and spend time together. Their dishes are famous around the world for their delectable taste and unique blend of spices and flavors.
Traditional Pakistani cuisine is rich in flavor and variety, and during Ramadan, people prepare some of their most delicious dishes for Iftar and Sehri. Commonly used ingredients in their dishes include rice, flatbread, lentils, vegetables, and meat.
Many families in Pakistan organize special Iftar dinners during Ramadan, where they invite their loved ones and cook a variety of traditional dishes. Here are some of the most famous recipes for Iftar in Pakistan during Ramadan:
Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
- Strawberry
- Banana
- Pineapples
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Pista
- Custard
- Cream
- Sugar
Method:
Fruit Salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is made from a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, and creamy ingredients. It’s a perfect way to balance your diet and indulge in some healthy food that is also satisfying to your taste buds.
To make a perfect Fruit Salad, start by selecting fresh and ripe fruits such as strawberries, bananas, pineapples, and any other fruits of your choice. Wash and chop them into bite-sized pieces and mix them in a large bowl.
Next, add a handful of nuts such as cashews, walnuts, and pista to the bowl to give the salad a crunchy texture.
To enhance the flavor of the salad, add a generous amount of custard and cream, and sprinkle some sugar on top. Gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
Refrigerate the Fruit Salad for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and for the salad to chill.
Enjoy this healthy and delicious Fruit Salad as a dessert, snack, or even as a breakfast option. It’s a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing your body with essential nutrients and vitamins.
Pakoras:
These are deep-fried fritters made with chickpea flour and vegetables, they are crispy and spicy and are usually served with chutney.
The month of Ramadan would not be complete without Pakoras.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup water (or as needed)
- 2 cups chopped vegetables (e.g. onions, potatoes, spinach, cauliflower)
- Oil for deep frying
Method:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the gram flour, baking soda, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt.
Add water gradually, stirring continuously to form a smooth batter. The batter should be thick but pourable.
Add the chopped vegetables to the batter and mix well.
Heat oil for deep frying in a deep pan on medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, take a spoonful of batter and drop it into the hot oil carefully. Repeat until the pan is filled with pakoras. Fry until golden brown on both sides, flipping them as needed.
Remove the pakoras from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain off excess oil.
And serve with your favourite chutney or sauce.
Enjoy your crispy and delicious pakoras on Iftar!
Dahi Baray:
Dahi Baray is an easy-to-make and delicious Pakistani snack. In order to make this dish, you will need …..
- 1 cup of split yellow lentils (chana dal),
- 2 cups of water,
- 12 teaspoons of baking soda,
- 2 tablespoons of oil for frying, and salt to taste.
Method:
The lentils should first be soaked in water for one hour and then drained thoroughly. Once the lentils are drained, mix them with baking soda in a blender or food processor until the mixture resembles a smooth paste. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil; form small spoonfuls of batter into round balls with your hands, then gently drop them into the oil one at a time until they are golden brown (about 3 minutes). Take out the baray from the pan when they are done frying; place them onto paper towels after frying so they can cool slightly. Serve with yogurt dip made from plain yogurt, cumin powder, and chopped mint leaves.
Vegetable/ Chicken Samosas
These are triangular pastries filled with spices and vegetables or chicken made from refined wheat flour.
Method:
Add a sufficient amount of water & salt in refined flour and mix it unless it becomes a shape of a batter. Boil all the vegetables/chicken add some spices in them mash them all well and then make triangle shapes from the batter with your hands fill it with the mixture you prepared. Put the saucepan on the stove and add enough oil to make it hot. Now deep fry the snack until it is golden brown on both sides. Once the Samosas have been cooked, set them out on a dish with, and serve them with chutney or ketchup afterward.
Samosas are popular snacks throughout the year, but especially during Ramadan. Mainly served with minced chutney or yogurt.
Shahi Tukray
Shahi Tukray is a popular Pakistani and Indian dessert made with bread slices that have been fried until crispy and then soaked in a rich and creamy milk mixture. Here’s a refined recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 6 bread slices
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons of custard powder
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons of ghee or oil
1/4 cup of mixed dry fruits (almonds, pistachios, and cashews)
Method:
Cut the bread slices into triangles or squares.
Heat ghee or oil in a pan and fry the bread slices until they are crispy and golden brown on both sides.
In a separate pan, heat milk and bring it to a boil.
Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
In a small bowl, mix the custard powder with a little bit of water to make a paste.
Add the custard paste to the boiling milk and stir well to avoid lumps.
Cook for a few minutes until the milk mixture thickens and custard is fully cooked.
Add condensed milk to the milk mixture and mix well.
Remove the milk mixture from heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
Dip the fried bread slices into the milk mixture and let them soak for a few minutes.
Garnish with mixed dry fruits and refrigerate until serving.
Serve cold and enjoy your delicious Shahi Tukray!
Overall, Ramadan is a special month for Muslims in Pakistan and around the world, and the traditional dishes prepared during this time are a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the country.
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