mass jaffan yiftar..

what a shame.. seriously.. i could only stick around for a short while.. an hour and then i had to go to see a dr.. last time i came to the iftar at the arab & jewish community centre in yaffo was two years ago.. its invitation only.. this year i went along with a friend after being cordially invited.. i was flattered and excited.. a room full of hundreds of people.. many from NGOs or schools or community groups.. it was beautiful..

the food was plentiful and abulafia - a local historic baking institution - sponsored the event.. it was attended by the mayor of telaviv ron huldai and a member of knesset (israeli parliament) fouad.. both spoke fluidly about all sorts of big stuff like co-existance and peace and the impending negotiations between israel and the palestinian authority.. bla bla..

for the most part - the most awesome aspect - was just sitting together at tables with pepole who had never met each other before yet share the same community.. suddenly discovering close connections new and old.. smiling warmly and realising that we are a family.. we do share the space and we love that space..

it was just a meal.. and for me just a short meal.. but one of those cherished experiences that inspire you to believe that peace amongst people is possible and even more than that - peace is desirable.. its not a compromise.. its an elation..

ramadan kareem to all.. and shukran ramadan for the opportunity to draw hearts closer together..



for a full collection of photos and comments from the night you can go to a local article about it..

serene light..

ramadan is in full swing here in my town of yaffo (israel) as well.. the mosque near my house recently changed the guy that calls for prayer.. the new guy has a great voice and his melody is really beautiful.. i may not be muslim but i like how the call dances through the air each time.. you can tell this new guy is trying.. not as many ramadan lights are up as there were in past years - or at least it seems that way to me.. still last night walking past the mosque i appreciated the serenity radiating out of this solitary light.. the surrounds are being renovated by the council and so the streetscape is a bit hectic.. but the people kneeling inside seemed so calm..

as per previous years - i anticipate joining the massive yaffo iftar at the arab jewish community centre.. hopefully ill have some cool photos and videos..

wishing us all a nice day..

Ramadan Comedy

A nice video about Ramadan.

Obama Ramadan Adress 2010

President Barak Obama addressing an audience at a dinner hosted at the white house to celebrate Ramadan.

Obama's 2010 Ramadan Dinner

A great post about the Ramadan dinner hosted by American president Barak Obama this year, includes pictures from the now annual Ramadan event.

White House Ramadan Dinner.

A Non-Muslim Celebrating Ramadan

Our alarm played classical music at 4:02 this morning, and so we awoke for breakfast before dawn. Though we are not Muslim, this will be my fifth year fasting for the month of Ramadan, and Martin, my husband's, fourth. The morning sky was filled with stars and a few clouds when I went outside for the newspaper. There was no hint of daybreak.

We had a simple breakfast: blueberries and cottage cheese, toast with olive oil and za'atar (Palestinian grandmothers say it makes you smarter!). Most important: a big glass of juice, followed by a big glass of water, then (for me) a cup of tea. It is such a long summer day ahead, and the fast for Ramadan will mean no food and no water until 8:07 p.m. this evening.

When I first decided to fast for Ramadan, I asked advice of two friends who are Muslim. One told me that the decision to fast must be personal and private. He advised me not to write or talk much about it. I choose to set aside his advice now because I would like to share what I have learned and continue to learn through this experience, and use it as a lens in these turbulent times to describe the many ways I will connect with people of various faiths in the month ahead.

Muslim readers will undoubtedly find our Ramadan fasting incomplete. Non-Muslims may be curious. I hope both groups will use this space to post comments and respond thoughtfully to questions.

"Ramadan Kareem" is one of the greeting one offers to Muslims at this time of year. Kareem is an Arabic word with positive meanings: decent, generous, kind, noble, honorable, precious, good, gentle, valuable, respectable, good-hearted and open-handed. I hope to describe how my Ramadan experience has been all of these.

So it's this time of year again. (written 9/8/10)

Ramadan approaches, and muslims worldwide are preparing for their annual (lunar) month-long fast.

To many non-muslims this may mean grumpy corner-shop owners, not being able to get an evening taxi for love nor money, or the almighty shopping exodus towards Eid.
And the not being able to get a restaurant table for love nor money.
But to many muslims, it is a time of reflection, inspiration, sacrifice, focus, family, and of God.

And so it will be for me again, albeit not with the full dedication it takes to not eat or drink (or for some orthadox muslims, swallow their own parched saliva) during daylight hours for a whole month.
My fast will include abstaining from certain food stuffs and drink stuffs, doing a liquid fast once a week (where I will only have fluids during the day), and during the last 10 days of ramadan will be hopefully fasting on alternate days.
Why am I, a non-muslim, doing this? Well for me, it is a time of relfection, inspiration, sacrifice, focus, family, and of God.

I hope to write about this, my struggle to resist that can of diet coke (cool, bubbly coke. Fresh, yummy coke...) , my search for meaning in my spirituality, my quest for a cleaner body and mind, and more focus.

Day 1 starts the day after tomorrow, so my first decision starts tonight at a meal out with friends... do I partake one last time, or get a good start on abstaining??

This time less than three years ago,...I also had the pleasure of being in Lahore, Pakistan just as Eid hit.

Staying in old Anarkali, with a room overlooking food street, I was nightly treated to the constant ebb and flow of people. Lahories love to eat. And talk. Men, families, arriving to eat at the tables set up in the street to meet, eat, and talk (I couldn't get that to rhyme). I roamed in the rush-hour safety of the Anarkali market, absorbed sights, sounds, smells, and sat in a confetti of flies during an afternoon watching families enjoying the Eid fair (to the concern of the hotel manager, Mr Anxious), shaking hands with shy young girls wearing a lot of make-up.
I watched Dawn news whilst escaping the pressing midday heat.
During my stay I experienced the overwhelming hospitalityof some of the locals, beautifully simple kebobs, oddly complex burgers, friendly locals, love-hungry yound men, and a wild west restaurant serving pasta. Was I confused? Yes, yes I was. (But being a bit of a perve, I was also very amused)
And as I explored that amazing city as much as a lone white girl can, perused Lahore fort and the museum, marvelled at shrines and red-brick buildings, dodged traffic, and met people. So with varied results and conflicting memories, I had to move on. But the memory of the Eid festivity on Anarkali and the life of Lahore has stayed with me.

Here are a couple of pictures, firstly one above of food street hazy with the smoke from taktaka pans and general heat.
And the next, one of my favourite ever. Local Muslims deep in prayer.

















Please do not use any of my pictures without my permission, they hold some very dear memories and I'd hate for that to be violated. Thx.

From Abskii.

The beginning of another test

Ramadhan - for many of us it is simply a month where we shy away from indulgences; for others it is a period of reflection; for many though it still remains a duty to be performed as a God-fearing muslim.

Whichever category we fall into, one thing is for sure - the very first day is always nervously approached.

A hundred questions come into our wavering minds. Will we keep the faith and make it through the month; will we be able to overcome the pangs of hunger, thirst and desires; Will we prove to ourselves and Allah that we are indeed worthy of a place in his jannat?

And on a more realistic note, we wonder if we will get up on time for the very first Seher; whether the soft mattress and duck-feather pillows can be given up for a token meal which is supposed to carry us through the day?

But all these fears are banished - because we hardly sleep thru the night. Those who are fortunate to attend the Taraweeh are already awake, and the others anticipate Seher with a trepidation.

The first Seher starts with a cup of tea, some wheatbreads, some fruit juice, and last night's biryani. And gallons and gallons of water.

And then the meal is over.

No, you cannot look longingly at the goodies in the fridge for the whole day. Temptation is Satan's first and most powerful card. And he can play it like a charm. Do not fall for it.

As the day goes by you forget that you are fasting as life pulls you into its usual whirlpool.

The first pangs of thirst pinches you after the sun has crossed overhead. The heat under your collar suggests to you that maybe you should quench the fire in your throat with some cool water. Ah ha! Stay cool my friend, the Lohar prayer shall guide you.

Then evening approaches. The smells of coffee next door, fried knick-knacks from the vendor across the street, and your office colleague busily munching away on his potato chips tease your senses. Asr prays with you and leads you away from all this.

At last, Iftaar arrives.

Strangely though, you don't feel as if you have deprived yourself of anything till now.

Contrary to all fears such as dropping like a stone on the way to work, fainting while sitting at your desk, panting with your tongue hanging half-way to your feet, wanting that innermost basal desire - none of all this has happened. You are calm and look forward to breaking the fast.

So comes the small supplication and then the sweet taste of your first drop of precious water since Seher, followed by the sweeter taste of rich dates. And other goodies - Fritters, fruits, Broth and of course more water.

The deed is done. Maghrib takes you beyond this and you thank Allah for giving you the patience, perseverance and piety for making it thru the first day of Ramadhan.

Insha Allah, the coming days shall be no different.

Flood victims desperately awaiting aid as Ramazan begins

Hundreds of thousands of flood victims are desperately awaiting relief as first day of this year’s holy month of Ramadan dawned across the country on Thursday.

The flood water, after inundating most of the Kutcha area in interior Sindh, is now making its way towards the cities while a heavy flood is being feared to pass from Chenab River at Head Khanki in the next few hours.

These people are homeless, have lost every thing and are sick, hungry and looking for help. Please help them in whatever way you can this Ramadan.

We had previously written a detailed post appealing for help for the flood victims of Pakistan you will find contact information for Organization which are there but could use your help. Open your Hearts this Ramadan and help these people in whatever way you can.

Ramadan Anywhere

The following was received through email, it is an example of what Ramadan is like for people around the world. It suggested we start a facebook page which I will try to do in a couple of days. If anyone has something to share feel free to email it to us.

Every year Ramzan brings  a new excitement. One year I shared it with some colleagues in Montreal, Canada. The previous year I was in Singapore. Two years ago I was closer home, in Mumbai, India. A year before that I spent the whole of the month in Hyderabad, India.

 

This year I think I may be home in Chennai.

 

Every place offered me something new. Every seher was different, every Iftaar was splendid. Wish I could have taken fotos in all the places. Could have shared them with you.

 

And every year I look at Ramadan Kareem for all the interesting posts. Can't I link up thru Facebook?

 

I hope to share some experiences this year too.

 

Ramzan Mubarak to all my fellow brethren.

So, it's this time of year again.

Guest Post By Fasting But Not Furious.

Ramadan approaches, and Muslims worldwide are preparing for their annual (lunar) month-long fast.

To many non-Muslims this may mean grumpy corner-shop owners, not being able to get an evening taxi for love nor money, or the almighty shopping exodus towards Eid.And the not being able to get a restaurant table for love nor money.But to many Muslims, it is a time of reflection, inspiration, sacrifice, focus, family, and of God.

And so it will be for me again, albeit not with the full dedication it takes to not eat or drink (or for some orthadox muslims, swallow their own parched saliva) during daylight hours for a whole month.
My fast will include abstaining from certain food stuffs and drink stuffs, doing a liquid fast once a week (where I will only have fluids during the day), and during the last 10 days of ramadan will be hopefully fasting on alternate days.

Why am I, a non-muslim, doing this? Well for me, it is a time of relfection, inspiration, sacrifice, focus, family, and of God.

I hope to write about this, my struggle to resist that can of diet coke (cool, bubbly coke. Fresh, yummy coke...) , my search for meaning in my spirituality, my quest for a cleaner body and mind, and more focus.

Day 1 starts tomorrow, so my first decision starts tonight at a meal out with friends... do I partake one last time, or get a good start on abstaining???

Ramadan Gift - Mecca Time

This Ramadan there is another reason to celebrate. Saudi Arabia The birth place of Islam is hoping to set a new time standard for the muslim world as a giant clock in the Muslim holy city of Mecca start to tick Wednesday on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Royal Clock, designed by German Premiere Composite Technologies company, is sitting atop a skyscraper just 50 meters of the Grand Mosque in the city. The clock was designed to be the world's largest - six times larger than London's Big Ben.


The 577-meter Mecca Clock Royal Tower will also feature a lunar observation center and an Islamic museum as well as a luxurious 76- storey hotel.

With the giant clock, Saudi Arabia is trying the present an ideal alternate time standard to the Greenwich meridian; the Mecca time.

Muslim scholars at a conference in Doha in 2008 presented scientific arguments that Mecca time could serve as a true global meridian, given that Mecca is actually the center of the world.

"Putting Mecca time in the face of Greenwich Mean Time, this is the goal," Mohammed al-Arkubi, general manager of Royal Mecca Tower Hotel, was quoted by the local paper as saying. 

Ramadan - First Sehri

Just had my first sehri of this Ramadan. The weather has been better the last few days cloudy all day, but there is slight humidity so the day should pass ok. Sehri is supposed to be one of two meals during the day and it should be enough to last you till sundown in Pakistan that's about 14 hours these days. In Pakistan people usually have Eggs, kababs, parathas, yougurt, Aloo Bhujia etc. Lots of water and milk too. Wish you all a happy 1st day of Ramadan.

Pakistan Ramadan Moon Sighted

Ramadan moon has been sighted in Pakistan and Ramadan will start tomorrow. We wish all the best and a very happy Ramadan to All our viewers in Pakistan.

Ramadan The month of Blessing and Charity

Ramadan is the month in which we all come closer to God, it is a time to be thankful to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. It is also a month to look out towards others less fortunate than us and open our hearts to their problems. As Muslims we are duty bound to help anyone in need to the best of our ability, especially in Ramadan people all around the world step up and help others as much as they can.

This is an Appeal of help from Ramadan Blog  for those in Pakistan suffering from the worst natural disaster in history. What was till today described as the worst floods in Pakistan’s history has now been termed as the biggest disaster ever to strike the country.  Worse than the Earthquake in the subcontinent as well as worse than the tsunami that hit the region a couple years back. The floods that have submerged most of Pakistan have been the cause of over 1600 deaths, as well as the displacement of 18 million people who have lost almost everything.

Please Donate to this cause this Ramadan and help these poor people who have lost everything, following is a list of some reliable charities you can donate to.

Besides sending cash through the organizations listed below, you can support by providing following commodities (please do not donate old/expired stuff. Make sure edible items are hygienic and properly packed):
* Clothing: Clothes of various sizes, Bedding, Shoes
* Utensils: Jerricans (large plastic cans that hold 20 liters of water or other liquids), Crockery, Buckets
* Toiletries: Tissues, Soaps, Dettol (antibacterial cleaners), Towels
* Food: Rice, Sugar, Flour (Atta), Onions, Potatoes, Cooking oil, Tea, Milk (tetra packs or powder), Safe drinking water, Cooked Food
Medicines:
1. Water purification tablets.
2. Life saving drugs.
3. Vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza.
4. Pain killers including strong ones like morphine derivatives, tremadol, pethadine, kinz .
5. Antibiotics e.g. tetnus, amoxil, gentamycin.
6. IV cannulas
7. IV Drip sets
8. IV drips: normal saline, ringerlactate
9. Local anesthetics (injections)
10. Cotton bandages, cotton.
11. Surgical instruments: e.g needle holders, forceps, tweezers.
12. Suturing materials, Skin staples.

In Pakistan:

• Edhi Foundation: Donate here

• Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
  Title of Account: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
  Account #: 0030445261000455
  Name of Bank: MCB Bank (1028), Super Market, Islamabad-Pakistan
  Swift Code: MUCBPKKAMCC
  Tax Exemption: 6043/ATD/2008-09

• SUNGI: Donate here

• Pakistan Red Crescent Society (offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad.

• Pakistani Youth (facebook group)

• Rescue & Relief Work ( Flood Survival)An independent group of students (facebook group)

• The Volunteers/ Voice of the Civil Society: VOTCS – a registered (No. DSW 3369-K) welfare organization in Pakistan, operating as a Non-Profit, Public Charity in the North America, Inc. – 501(C)(3) Organization(Tax Exempted). Sending provisions to affectees with the help of Pakistan Army. For more info call: Hadia khan @ +92-3018245999 Sadia Haroon @ +92-3218251122 Irum Farooque @ +92-3002332142. (For donations: HABIB BANK LIMITED ACCOUNT NO: 1549-79001393-03)

• RONAQ-E-QAINAAT – Young doctors are in the process of arranging a series of free medical camps in the flood affected areas. First Camp is at Nowshera. Please Contact Ms. Alina Akhyar at alinaakhyar@yahoo.com, to email you the Trust’s past activities, bank account details and other queries. They have reportedly done some pretty impressive work. (Account number: 00400101065364, account title: Khadija Nadeem; Askari Bank Chaklala Scheme 3 branch Rawalpindi). Khadija is the founding member, handling all donations.

International Charity Organizations:

• UNHCR: Donate here. You can also mail your donations to UNHCR:
• UNHCR  - UNHCR Canada
• UNICEF USA- Donate here
• United Nation’s World Food Programme: Donations are tax deductible for number of countries. Donate here
• Plan International ( Pakistan specific) donate here
• International Medical Corps
• IRC (The International Rescue Committee): donate here: http://www.theirc.org/news/irc-team-responds-devastating-floods-pakistan

Start of Ramadan 2010

Ramadan is a festive period in Islam, one of the holiest and most sacred month for Muslims all over the world. Ramadan is one of the most important months in the Islamic calender which is based on the sighting of the moon. This year Saudi Arabia, and most of the middle east countries will start celebrating Ramadan on Wednesday, August 11th 2010. The rest of the countries will probably start Ramadan on Thursday depending on the sighting of the moon in the respective countries. I wish all the Muslims around the world a very blessed month ahead. May all your prayers be answered in this holy month and may you have all the blessing. A very blessed Ramadan to everyone from all of us here at Ramadan Blog.

Ramadan Savories - Hot Brinjal Pickle

Do try this recipe, its something i have been making for years.

1 Kg Eggplant
20 Cloves Garlic
1 Tsp Pepper
25 Gms Ginger
1 1/2 Cups Vinegar
1 Tsp Tumeric
4 Level Tbsp Mustard seeds
2 1/2 Cups Mustard oil (heated and cooled)
4 Level Tbsp Salt
3 Tbsp Kashmiri Red Chillie powder - freshly ground



METHOD: Dice the eggplant into 1 inch cubes, rub with salt and set aside for 12 hours, in the sun. Take ginger, garlic, cumin seeds and mustard seeds and grind them together, then add vinegar and mix well.
Squeeze out all the salt water from the eggplants, and gently rub the chillie powder, pepper, tumeric and then add the vinegar mixture.
Then put in a glass jar and pour mustard oil on top of it, then cover and put in the sun every day
for 15 days, but remember to shake and stir the pickle everyday with a wooden spoon. The pickle will be ready to eat after 15 days.

Ramadan at Ping Pong (Table) Dubai

Ping Pong the first dim sum restaurant in Dubai and the latest temptation is offering Dubai residents with special fares this Ramadan. Ping Pong has set a special Ramadan menu for its clients after the sun sets down this Ramadan. The new menu offers a wide variety of dishes including starters, varied variety of Dim Sum, side dishes, desert and mocktails, at the end you will enjoy a great selection on tea. All this for a great price of 105 AED. Don't forget to stop by Ping Pong this Ramadan to enjoy this great food at a great price. To book a table call 800-PING-PONG.

Travel Tips for Ramadan

Traveling to  Muslim countries in the holy month of Ramadan can be very different from traveling there at other times. Many Muslim countries have different rules and regulations during the month of Ramadan. These restrictions on eating, drinking and entertainment during the daylight hours can cause some inconvenience to tourist, but this should in no way stop you from traveling to Muslim countries during this holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month in which you will witness a whole insight into the religion and culture of the place you are visiting, it can be a unique experience. Here are some tips that will help you in your travels during Ramadan.

Avoid smoking, drinking and eating while in public. Most locals will understand that you’re under no obligation to fast, but they will appreciate that you are aware of what they’re doing. To be polite, eat your meals and snacks in the privacy of your hotel room.

In some extreme Muslin countries it’s considered illegal to drink/smoke/eat in public during the period of fasting and could result in fines (this is especially true in Algeria).

Some restaurants will only be open after sunset and it may prove difficult to find places to eat outside of the very touristy areas. In some hotel restaurants, there are screens put in place to separate Western diners from Muslim guests.

It’s very common that day-time business hours are shortened. Most shops will close at 14:00, so make sure you do your shopping beforehand.

When the fast is broken, called iftar, each day it can be very hard to find a taxi since everyone is heading to eat with their family or

Take to the night, that’s when the real cultural experiences start. After the meal, many will go about their usual “daytime” activities during the night which means the streets are alive! Take a rest during the day so you can enjoy the boisterous night-life when the sun sets.

After the month of Ramadan there is a 3-5 day festival to celebrate the end of the fasting period. This is called Eid ul-Fitr. Many Muslins travel to see family and friends during these days so if you want to find a cheap hotel at that time, make sure you’ve booked it far in advance.

Ramadan Savories - Hot Beef Chille Curry

1/2 Kg Beef
2 Med Onions
4 Green Chillies
4 cloves Garlic
1 Tsp Ginger
60 Gr Ghee
1 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp Turmeric
1/4 Cup of Tamarind pulp (Soaked in 2tbsp warm water)
Salt to taste


METHOD: Dice the beef into 2.5 cm cubes. Heat the ghee and fry the finely sliced onions and the chopped garlic, till lightly browned. Now slow down the flame an start adding the other spices and the green chillies cut lengthwise, cover with lid and let it simmer for 5mins.
Then add the meat, stir fry it on a high flame for 3mins and lower the flame, add 150ml of warm water, cover the meat with foil paper and let it cook 70mins till the beef is tender.
Add strained tamarind juice to the beef dish and stir fry it of 5mins till the gravy is thick.
This beef curry is best served with boiled rice.

Ramadan Savories - Anda ka Salan Madrasi style

This egg curry can be enjoyed with zaffrani mughlai paratha. Do try this for sehri my husband really enjoys for his sehri.

6 Eggs
60gr Ghee
3Tbsp Onions- chopped
Salt and Lemon juice to taste
2 Cloves Garlic
250gr Fresh Tomatoes
1 Tbsp Curry powder

METHOD: Take 6 hard boiled eggs and cut lengthwise.
Then take the chopped onions and garlic and lightly fry in 50gr ghee for 2-3mins.
Stir for another 2-3mins after adding the curry powder.
Then add the fresh finely chopped tomatoes add enough water to form a thick like gravy.
Then add the salt and lemon juice and let it cook on a slow heat for 5-10mins.
Now add the eggs and warm on a slow heat for about 10mins and serve.

(Optional you can also serve with boiled rice.)

Samsung Middle East Celebrating Ramadan

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a leading technology provider in the telecommunications industry, in association with the Red Crescent, today launched "Make A Wish" initiative during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Richard Joo, General Manager, Marketing Division at Samsung Middle East and Africa head quarter, commented:

"In the spirits of celebrating Ramadan, Samsung created "Make a Wish" online campaign designed to increase the public's awareness of the spirits of the Holy Month and the importance of helping the ones in need."

"We invite everyone to make a wish for their loved ones during the Holy Month and Samsung will contribute a specific amount of money for each wish. The proceeds will go towards the Red Crescent activities for Eid dress for orphans, Zakat El Fiter and Iftar," Mr. Joo added.

With every wish made by visiting Samsung - Ramadan website, the individual will enter a draw to win one of eight fabulous Omnia phones which will be given away during the celebration of Eid El Fitr.

Samsung's Omnia otherwise known as i900 brings together high performance business content, top of the range style and a fun, dynamic multi-media experience, to ensure consumers are always connected both at home and at work.

Omnia, meaning 'everything' in Latin and 'wish' in Arabic, goes beyond the current top-of-the-line features available in today's mobile phones. Samsung Omnia allows users to switch seamlessly between Microsoft Outlook email and productivity applications that replicate the look and feel of their PC, with a stroke of their finger.

The Omnia will be available in the Middle East region later this month.

A Ramadan Poem

Ramadan, the field of cultivation for the servant has come,

to purify the hearts from corruption and vices.

Therefore, adhere to it’s rights, in word and deed,
And take it as your provision for the final return (Hereafter).

For whoever plants seeds and fails to water them,
Will wail with regret on the day of harvest.

(Taken from Ibn Rajib al-Hanbali’s book: Lataaif al-Ma’arif)

Ramadan Savories - Pyaz Aur Tamatar Ka Raita

2 Med Onions - finely chopped
4 Med Tomatoes - seeded and chopped
5/8 Cup 150ml Water
A Pinch of Mustard powder
2 Cups plain yogurt - lightly beaten
1 1/2 Level Tsp Salt
1/2 Level t Tsp Sugar
1 Level Tsp chillie powder
1/2 Level Tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 Tbsp Fresh Coriander leaves

METHOD: Take water, mustard, salt, chillie powder, sugar and yogurt and mix well together, add the tomatoes and onions and stir well.
Sprinkle finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.


Prep time: 15 mins - Serves 6

Ramadan Savories - Aloo Bhujia

This aloo ki bhujia compliments the zaffrani mughlai paratha perfectly...do try it.


2 Med Patotoes- boiled & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 Tbsp chat masala
1 Tbsp red chillie- kooti
1 Tsp Nigella
A few green chillies - chopped into 1 inch pieces
1/4 Tsp Tumeric
1/2 T hp Cumin
2 Tbsp Garlic
2 Cubes Chicken stock
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste


METHOD: Heat oil and put garlic, cumin and nigella and fry. Also add the patotoes and stock dissolved in half a cup of warm water, and let it cook for 3mins. Then add the green chillies, tumeric and salt to taste. Let it cook for a min or so till nicely mixed and then sprinkle the red chillies and chaat masala and serve.

Ramadan Savories - Zaffrani Mughlai Paratha

This is a savory highly recommended by me to be enjoyed at sehri accompanied by aloo ki bhujia, shammi kebabs, eggs, hot brinjal pickle, cauliflower and white radish pickle, onion and tamato raita and sweet and spicy mango chutney.

2 Cups Wheat flour
2 Eggs beaten with 1/4 tsp salt
1 Tsp Salt
2 Tbsps Ghee
1 Tsp Baking powder
1 Tsp Milk
A few strands of saffron (zaffran) dissolved in 2 tbsps warm water
Water for kneading ghee for shallow frying


METHOD: Sift flour,baking powder and salt together. Make a stiff dough, by adding 2tbsps of ghee and slowly add water and then add milk and saffron and knead well. Now take the dough and make 6 equals portions and shape them into round balls. Take each round round ball and roll it out like a pancake 6" in diameter and coat the top side with a tsp of ghee and fold it over into a semicircle. Now repeat the process by spreading a little ghee on the top side and double fold it lengthwise and press it lightly with ur finger tips. Roll it like a swiss roll whilst keeping the folds intact on the outer side. The press it down with the palm of your hand to make a flattened ball and roll into a square 7"x 7". Now brush each paratha with beaten egg and fold all 4 corners towards the center but keep in mind not to cover the center totally. Now your paratha is ready for frying, heat oil in a frying pan or for shallow frying heat oil in a tawa and fry one paratha at a time and remember to place each one on a kitchen towel to absorb the oil.

prep time: 30 - 45 mins - makes : 6 - 8