Ramadan Favourite Dishes

 

It’s the holy month of Ramadan.  I am so lucky to be in Egypt during this peaceful time of generosity and giving. Streets are full of people 24/7. Mosques are decorated with colourful lights, smell of delicious food coming from local restaurants every where.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The month lasts 29 to 30 days based on the sightings of the crescent moon. Although fasting is not easy during summer specially that it is not possible to drink even water till sunset, the spirit of patience and sharing makes it easily possible. I’ll share with you some of the famous Egyptian dishes usually served in Ramadan.

Usually the meal starts with famous Egyptian chicken or meat & orzo soup, served with parsley and few drops of lemon. Perfect start after 14 hours of fasting.

Then “Yamish” is served , dried fruit compote mixed with nuts. Great energy booster.

 

“Mahshy“: different kinds of vegetables : Eggplant, green pepper , zucchini, and tomatoes; stuffed with rice & herbs mixture .

Goulash

Filo pastry stuffed with cooked ground beef ,usually prepared  with diced tomatoes and green peppers and seasoned with fresh parsley .

Fattah

A layer of baked pita bread ,soaked in beef stock,topped with white rice then pieces of beef, lamb or veal.  Fattah is served with special sour tomato & garlic sauce.

 

“Bamya” , Okra

Okra is a non expensive yummy vegetable grown in summer. Egyptians have Okra stew at least once a week when in season, stew is usually made with lamb, seasoned with few drops of lime and served with whole wheat pita bread .

 

 

Katayef

ِA famous dessert in Ramadan, looks like mini crepe, stuffed with nuts and deep fried then soaked in honey syrup

 

 

Roz blaban “Rice pudding”

A well known Egyptian dessert.  My father is expert in making Roz blaban,I am so proud he taught me the secret of mastering the recipe.

 

Baked Chicken with Potatoes

Onion is marinated with salt and pepper then rubbed all over chicken. Chicken is then seasoned a second time with mixture of salt,pepper, ground coriander and paprika. Potatoes and green peppers are seasoned by same spices and  baked with chicken. When almost done, chicken is rubbed with a tablespoon of tomato paste .

 

Sohour is the second and last meal served before dawn, Foul “fava bean” is the main dish in sohour beside dates shake, milk or yoghurt and cucumber salad.

Ramadan is great way for detox. By the end of the month I feel great. Unfortunately ,I get back to the way before ramadan in few days !!

Celebrating “Sham Ennisim”

“Sham Ennisim” (an arabic translation for “smelling the breeze” ) is an Egyptian national holiday. On that day Egyptians celebrate the beginning of spring. It is also Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Easter . Although this is a Christian-related date, all Egyptians celebrate this day regardless of religion. Egyptian families spend the day coloring eggs with kids, eating salted fish,herrings (pickled or smoked),and anchovies accompanied by colorful vegetables like lettuce, green fava beans,radishes and green onions. Sweet breads are served to end the meal with minted black tea. Usually people make picnics on that day to smell the breeze and enjoy their meal outdoors.

Although I was not in Egypt this sham ennisim , I made sure my son color the eggs here in Montreal,I prepared an indoor picnic,took some photos and emailed them to my family in Egypt. so we virtually celebrated the day together.

I was able to come up with a clean bread recipe for this occasion, unfortunately I did not have the time to try a brioche recipe with the new types of flour I am using right now. So we had some minted lemonade at the end of the meal instead.

I would like to share with you how we celebrated this day.Have a look!

Colorful bread tartlets

I made this bread in tarte pans for single servings. they could be just shaped into rolls as well.

1 C water, 2 C einkorn flour,1 C spelt flour ,1 Tbsp active dry yeast. 1 Tbsp olive oil. 3 Tbsp raw sugar 1/4 tsp salt ,more olive oil to handle the dough. Colored eggs (not boiled

Place water,oil,sugar in pan of bread machine. Add flours on top, followed by yeast and salt.Set program to “pasta/dough”.Press “Start” When dough is done. Wet hands with oil and shape into 6 balls. Brush 4 mini tartlet pans with oil. Press balls into tart pans. Press an egg in center of each bread tartlet. Bake for 20 minutes.

Marinatedd Herings with green onions

Drain 1 jar (320 gms) marinated wild herrings,discard marinade. Add diced green onions,diced radish,and chopped mint leaves. Sprinkle with olive oil and lemon juice. No salt is needed.

Anchovy – olives paste

Mix 1 can anchovies,black olives , green onions , juice of 1 lemon and some olive oil into the container of a food processor until smooth. Top with radish.serve on sliced baguette or crackers.

Molasses served with tahini sauce is a must after the meal, mother learned from my grand mother that it will not give you a heart burn after all salted fish you eat. I believe Dr. mum,so I just do it 😮

Minty lemonade:

Add  5 small limes,half a bunch of fresh mint leaves , 4 Tbsp sugar and water all into the container of a blender .Process until smooth.Strain lemonade and serve with ice.Very refreshing .

Passionate about cooking!

Collecting Cooking books is one of my favorite hobbies.Specially those that help encouraging kids to eat healthy.When I read Jessica Seinfeld’s book, “Deceptively Delicious “,I loved the idea that she hides all kinds of veggies in kids’ favorite food. Then I started twisting her recipes with veggies I wish my son could try, luckily after few deceptive recipes he accepted to eat chickpeas,shrimp , and more. Still not able to convince him to try eggs and zucchini ,but I’m working on it 😮

I’ll show you some of the recipes I try,how I added my own touch;I can’t do a recipe by the book 😮 and let you know how it goes.Can’t wait to try the Brownies with Spinach !!

Here is where to find Jessica Seinfeld’s Book :http://www.amazon.com/Deceptively-Delicious-Simple-Secrets-Eating/dp/B001HVNX3C