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The holy period of the Muslim community across the world began on the evening of March 22 yesterday, and now the devotees will be following a month-long fasting and prayer session. This time is considered holy, and people use it for self-reflection and cleansing through fasting. Unlike Navratri, where certain food restrictions are followed, Ramadan requires total abstinence from solid and liquid nourishment.
Every day, individuals observing the fast wake up before dawn to pray and eat sehri, after which they cannot consume anything until the sun sets. The meal eaten after this is called iftar. Nevertheless, you can ensure vitality and alertness throughout the day by preparing nutritious and energy-boosting foods for sehri.
Here are a few recipes that you can make for sehri this year:
1. Oats Yoghurt Parfait
This is a light, refreshing, and calming breakfast idea. Yoghurt is known to have cooling properties, and this probiotic food keeps your stomach cool and prevents inflammation. Add some soaked oats to make it richer and keep you fuller for longer. You can top it with berries, honey, and other ingredients like chia seeds too.
2. Fresh Fruit Salad
Eating seasonal foods is one of the best ideas to follow during Ramadan. Fruits high in water content work well during the summer. These keep you hydrated for a long time and keep your stomach cool, too. Include fruits like watermelon, muskmelon, oranges, etc. You can also have papaya to keep yourself full. Top it with some chaat masala and toss it all together.
3. Egg Brik
This is a Tunisian-style thin pastry that is a cross between a filo and a spring roll. The layered pastry is very thin and crisp, with a whole egg stuffed with onion and harissa. It is usually packed in a triangular puff pastry shape.
4. Badam Sharbat
This is a rich and delicious almond-based drink that will surely keep you on your toes throughout the day. It is a nourishing drink that has the goodness of kewra, almonds, and cardamom. The strong flavours of the spices and the aroma of kewra add to the appeal of this delicious sharbat. It is one of the few filling beverages ideal for sehri.
5. Afghani Bolani
Very similar to the Indian paratha, this Afghani-style flatbread is often made for sehri in many households. The thin crust is filled with either potatoes or grated pumpkin, and sometimes even minced meat is added to it. These are then fried and served crispy hot. This recipe is a delicious and flavourful item for your sehri platter.
6. Dahi Kebabs
While the heavy kebabs aren’t a preferred choice early in the morning, one can always opt for these creamy and filling dahi ke kebabs. Packed with hung curd, paneer, and spices, the flavour of the kebabs can be enhanced with the addition of anjeer to them. Pair with a mint-coriander chutney and enjoy.
7. Egg Paratha
A crispy and flaky paratha, layered with an egg mixture, is a classic sehri treat. While it is commonly eaten for breakfast, the egg paratha is an excellent source of protein and fibre making it a great addition to your sehri. You can add some mild sauces and chopped veggies to make it even more filling and nutritious.
8. Ful Medammes
This is a classic Egyptian stew made of fava beans and flavoured with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It is easy to make, very light on the stomach, and delicious too. You can make this at home with the bare minimum of ingredients.
9. Pheni
Found on the streets of Old Delhi, pheni is a crispy and flaky noodle-like delight made with wheat flour, semolina, and butter-based dough. These look like vermicelli and are fried before being dunked into milk for serving. The lanes of Old Delhi are fragrant with the aromas of freshly prepared pheni during Ramadan, making it a great sweet meat for your sehri.
10. Dates Barfi
Dates are a great way to break a fast. And given the natural sweetness of dates, it makes for a perfect ingredient to pack a square-shaped bite called barfi. Another sweet treat that can be eaten for sehri is barfi made from dates. The importance of dates during Ramadan is no stranger to us. It is nutrient-rich and quite filling.
