Ramadan 2022: Significance and Iftar dishes
This year, Ramadan begins on April 2 along with Navaratri and ends on May 2. Ramadan is the most auspicious month of the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that during this month the verses of the holy Quran were first shown to the Prophet by Allah. Muslims devote themselves to spirituality during this month through rituals of fasting during the day and prayers.
Sehri and Iftar
During the duration of this month-long fasting, devotees wake up before dawn and eat before daybreak, this is called Sehri. This meal helps them keep their fast throughout the day. Then after sundown and evening prayers, they have another meal called Iftar, which often becomes a feast comprising popular dishes. Although a month of spiritual reckoning, it often becomes a foodie's delight.
Kebabs
One of the mass favorite Iftar staples has always been the melt-in-mouth kebabs and tikkas. Oh, how can anyone think of an Iftar spread without these? Kebabs and tikkas are basically meat preparations that may require marination with lots of spices, yogurt, and lemon. Then they are either grilled in skewers or are stir-fried. Either way, they are tender and juicy to everyone's liking.
Biryani
Need we describe this heavenly dish? Well, there is a variety of biryani recipes depending on the origin of the recipe. Biryani is the only most-ordered dish on India's online food delivery services! To break it down, biryani is a blissful mixed rice dish made with spices, meat, eggs, and potatoes, and has a melt-in-the-mouth and bless-the-soul kind of feel in every bite!
Halim
Haleem or halim is a very tender dish made of meat. Mainly made of four ingredients, halim contains wheat or barley, lentils, meat (usually lamb and mutton or chicken), and lots of spices. This slow-cooked dish is beaten to get a paste-like consistency of the meat, by blending well all the flavors of spices, lentils, and wheat together.
Sewaiyan
This dessert item is to die for. There are many ways to cook sewaiyan and adjust the sweetness to your liking. While some are soupy and more kheer-like, others have a drier consistency. Some are richer and others are lighter depending on the ingredients used. The recipe also varies based on the area of origin, but there's something for everyone.
