Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by millions of Muslims worldwide as a time of spiritual reflection and fasting. During this month-long period, people abstain from food, water, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset, dedicating themselves to prayer, charity, and self-improvement.
Ramadan is not only a time for spiritual growth but also a time for communal gatherings and sharing of food. The evening meal known as iftar, which breaks the fast, is a significant part of the Ramadan experience. From sweet treats to savoury snacks, traditional foods play a central role in the celebration of Ramadan.
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which is marked with special prayers, feasting, and exchanging of gifts. It is a time of great joy and celebration, and traditional dishes are an essential part of the festivities.
The feasting begins with a mouth-watering platter comprising of traditionally prepared kebabs, sheer khurma, biryani, sevaiyan, haleem, and kormas. Needless to say, these lip-smacking dishes are simply irresistible for anyone who has a good taste for food and a huge appetite.
Here are some exquisite picks from the popular Middle Eastern menu offered during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Let’s learn more about Islamic cuisine and add a few mouth-watering dishes to our list of must-haves.
Fattah
Fattah is the most savoured Egyptian food prepared during grand celebrations. It is a splendid combination of spiced, boiled beef or lamb gregariously scattered over a layer of rice and garnished with pita bread. The dish is then served with a tomato sauce with lots of garlic in it, giving it a distinctive garlicky flavour. Especially prepared during occasions, Fattah is generally consumed during a woman’s first pregnancy or during Iftar in the holy month of Ramadan. It has multiple versions of preparation, from region to region. But the most famous ones are the Egyptian and Levantine styles of cooking.
Thareed Laham
Thareed Laham is another popular dish in Arabia. Primarily cooked during the auspicious month of Ramadan, it is a common early morning food, which is both light and wholesome at the same time. This food consists of crispy flatbread, drenched in a layer of meat soup. Mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet Mohammad, it has a significant reputation among Muslims. It can either be cooked with lamb, chicken, beef or with vegetables only.
Kebab Iraqi
None of the food arrangements for a grand feast on Eid al-Fitr is complete without succulent and juicy kebabs. Kebab Iraqi is indeed an absolute delight. These kebabs are cooked with minced meat of lamb and have equal proportions of lamb fat. Cooked over barbecue charcoal, with a mix of ground spices slathered on top, the Kebab Iraqi is an exceptional appetizer. Its robust flavour is drawn from the smokiness of charcoal. Once cooked, the outer part is crisp and juicy, while the inside is salty and fatty. They are appreciated all over the world for being heavenly flavourful. Works wonderfully as a starter before the main course buffet is laid out.
Mansaf
Mansaf is another popular dish eaten all across Middle Eastern countries. Personified as the national dish of Jordan, Mansaf is extremely popular in Palestine, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. This dish is particularly served during special occasions such as marriages, Eid-e-Milad, and Eid al-Fitr, in honour of a guest, and on certain national holidays. It is eaten in the Bedouin style, wherein people gather around the platter. The dish was initially prepared with camel or lamb meat slowly cooked in a meat broth and served with a side of shrak or markook—a kind of bread. It was not until the late 1920s that rice was incorporated and introduced into the dish. The introduction of sour fermented yoghurt to the dish is also a recent development.
The true essence of any festival is the coming together of people for the sake of love, peace, and joy. And what better way to connect than over good food. So during this festive season, let us rejoice and unite! Eid al-Fitr!
And what’s Eid without Biryani!? So here are a few expert tips on preparing restaurant-style Biryani at home!
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