Celebrate Ramadan
BBC Good Food UK|April 2023
Anisa Karolia shares the family favourites she loves to cook during the Muslim holy month
By Anisa Karolia
Celebrate Ramadan

During Ramadan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating between sunrise and sunset. This year, we expect it to be around 3am to 8pm - we follow the lunar calendar, so it's about 10 days earlier each year.

As well as prayers, charity, self-reflection and trying to better one's self, food also plays an important part in Ramadan.

We have a pre-dawn breakfast, usually eggs, toast and tea or cereal, and break our fast with dates at sunset. Dates are recommended because they help replenish vitamins.

Traditionally, a Ramadan table spread would include starters. My family enjoys lamb and mint samosas, chicken and cheese pastries and, of course, crispy pakoras. My children love butter chicken, but we could also prepare food like noodles, non-traditional lasagne or fish and chips. For dessert, there's always platters of fresh fruits like watermelon, mangoes, strawberries, grapes and pineapple, and usually a creamy and fragrant rose-flavoured falooda. We end the evening with a cup of karak chai.

Crispy pakoras

Basic pakoras are made with sliced onions, fresh fenugreek leaves, chickpea flour and spices, but you can add other vegetables, such as grated carrots and potatoes, or even chicken.

MAKES about 15 PREP 25 mins COOK 3 mins EASY V

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 large red onion, finely chopped

125g spinach, finely chopped

125g fresh fenugreek leaves, chopped stems removed)

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp chilli powder

1tsp ground coriander

1tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)

1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves

2 tsp garlic paste

2 tsp green chilli paste

1 heaped tbsp rice flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

200g chickpea flour gram flour)

200g can sweetcorn vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Bu hikaye BBC Good Food UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye BBC Good Food UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BBC GOOD FOOD UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
'I make food that's multipurpose'
BBC Good Food UK

'I make food that's multipurpose'

In our series on managing the rising cost of living, we asked you how you're adapting and for your tips on making the grocery shop go further

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
Subtle flavours for sunny days
BBC Good Food UK

Subtle flavours for sunny days

Enjoy the many May bank holidays with something dry, refreshing and fruity

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
Kung Pao & Beyond by Susan Jung
BBC Good Food UK

Kung Pao & Beyond by Susan Jung

Editor Keith Kendrick indulges his love of fried chicken with this celebration of the whole bird

time-read
3 dak  |
May 2023
'THE WORLD'S BEST'
BBC Good Food UK

'THE WORLD'S BEST'

Sandwiched with meringue and cream, this light and airy Norwegian party cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
The power of growing your own
BBC Good Food UK

The power of growing your own

Growing veg offers more than sustenance for some, be it a means to connect with their country of birth, or a way to recreate flavours enjoyed overseas. Here I speak to growers - for businesses and at home - about why they got into it and what it means to grow your own

time-read
6 dak  |
May 2023
Our school dinner meals go down a storm
BBC Good Food UK

Our school dinner meals go down a storm

A desire to pay it forward led Samantha Couzens to meeting her best friend Penny Hill, and the pair have been cooking together ever since

time-read
4 dak  |
May 2023
Johnny Godden's fish & chips
BBC Good Food UK

Johnny Godden's fish & chips

The boss of Cornwall's Flying Fish Seafoods shares his favourite recipe, evoking memories of his childhood

time-read
4 dak  |
May 2023
watercress
BBC Good Food UK

watercress

Rich in vitamins and minerals, this salad leaf also adds a fresh burst of peppery flavour to a variety of dishes

time-read
3 dak  |
May 2023
let's eat more fish
BBC Good Food UK

let's eat more fish

Try this nutritious midweek main that's effortless to make and counts as two of your five-a-day

time-read
1 min  |
May 2023
veggie weekdays
BBC Good Food UK

veggie weekdays

Go meat-free Monday to Friday and enjoy more of your five-a-day with these cost-efficient recipes

time-read
5 dak  |
May 2023