Ramadan Special :Suhoor and Iftar meal.

The most awaited holy fasting month of Ramadan starts in about 2 weeks.To survive the long fasting hours in summer ,when there is absolutely no room for junk food,its essential to feed the body with a balanced meal for the 2 important meals of the day.The fasting etiquette and diet plan should be helpful in planning your meals for Ramadan.

Suhoor(Pre-dawn) meal
Simple and wholesome early morning meal with Lamb Shorba ,Parathas\Roti, Okra and fruits.To get this meal to the table for Suhoor, requires prep work the night before,I make the shorba and Okra curry the night before and keep the dough of parathas ready to roll and roast for the morning.Those prone to UTI(Urinary Tract Infection) should avoid any caffeinated drink like tea or coffee,a glass of milk is my choice of drink.A banana or apple or some toasted nuts should make the meal complete.

Recipe :Lamb Shorba.
Serves 2-3
Ingredients
1 lb lamb or goat with bones,fat trimmed
1/2 cup fresh herbs cilantro and mint, chopped
2 medium onion chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon hot chili powder
1 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste(use fresh minced for best flavor)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon garam masala powder(ground cumin,coriander,cloves and cinnamon mix)
2 tablespoon fresh herbs like mint or cilantro,finely chopped
2 green chillies,chopped(optional)
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil or vegetable oil

Method
Heat a skillet or a pressure cooker on medium high flame. Add oil ,chopped onions and cumin seeds. Saute until lightly brown ,for about 8-10 minutes and add the garlic and ginger paste, Now add the lamb ,turmeric ,garam masala ,herbs,chillies,salt and chili powder.Saute for a minute on high flame,then add 2 cups of water. Cover and simmer for 2 hours on medium-low flame or in a pressure cooker for 30-35 minutes,until lamb is tender and falls off the bones,serve warm with Parathas\roti.


Iftar(post-dusk)meal

At the end of the day when body is running low in sugar and energy,the ideal nourishing food is Dates.Was also the Sunnah(tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) to eat dates and water for Iftar.


Whole fruits can also be good for breaking the fast.


For dinner - Lentils and Broken Wheat Soup ,Whole grain rolls,fruits and cooling falooda.

Recipe :Lentils Broken Wheat Soup
Serves 2
Ingredients
1/2 cup Brown Lentils
1 cup broken wheat(Dalia)
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder(ground cumin,coriander,cloves and cinnamon mix)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds(Zeera)
1 small onion,finely chopped
1 medium tomato,finely chopped
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste,or freshly minced ginger and garlic
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice,freshly squeezed
2 tablespoon fresh herbs cilantro or mint,chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method
Wash and Soak lentils and broken wheat for 15-20 minutes.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker or skillet with lid,add the onions,cumin seeds and whole spices.Mix in the ginger and garlic when onions turn lightly brown,add the chopped tomatoes,rest of the spices ,saute for a minute.
Drain all the water from the soaking lentils and broken wheat,add to the cooking mixture,saute for 2-3 minutes,before adding 3 cups of water and season with salt.Cover and cook until lentils are tender ,about 10-12 minutes on medium high heat in a pressure cooker or 30-40 minutes in a skillet.Uncover and stir and simmer for another minute ,add chopped herbs and serve warm with whole grain dinner rolls.



Meat Variation:
Add some minced meat(beef or lamb) if desired.

Some Ramadan Favorite posted previously:
Almond Stuffed Dates
Haleem(Spicy Meat Wheat Porridge)
Harees(spicy Chicken Broken wheat Porridge)
Dahi Vade\Bade(Lentils Balls in Yogurt
Okra Fritters

Join in Mona's Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival for more Ramadan Favorites.


Kreativ Blogger Award
My heartfelt thanks to Parita,Ann,Shri,Ammu,Smitha,Humaira and Aquadaze for passing me the Kreativ Blogger Award.I've already done the 7 meme.I'm passing this to all the creative bloggers(too many to list)

Good-bye Cleveland! Hello Columbus!
Next week is our big move to Columbus(Ohio).A new city and new hopes .I'll be away from blogsphere just for a week(or two).Hope you all don't miss me much.Wish to be back as soon I get settled in the new place :D