Originally Persian. This is a very delicious and rich dessert. I prefer to use sukary dates which are soft and sweet. The soft exterior goes perfect with the crunch inside and the topping is a perfect mix to tune down the sweet taste of the dates. Arabs love to have this dish with Arabic coffee to sugar the taste. This dessert is usually served in a large baking dish however I think its much more elegant to serve in individual small baking dishes. Make sure your dishes are oven proof.

1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
24 fresh dates, stoned
12 walnuts, cut into half
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, almonds or pistachios
dash ground cardamom

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Place a walnut half inside of each date. Carefully arrange in 1 large baking dish or several small ones. Bake for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, In a saute pan on low heat add flour. Stir until color turns beige and a delicate aroma arises. Avoid burning flour. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add butter and 2 teaspoons of cardamom. Whisk continuously until mixture is well combined.

3. Carefully pour mixture over prepared baked dates. Sprinkle top with chopped nuts and cardamom.

Yields: 6 servings

Noor is the author of Ya Salam Cooking

Losing Weight in Ramadan

The month of Ramadan brings a lot of blessings with it. We know that this is a holy month and Allah is so gracious during this month. You know Ramadan bring something very important, weight loss. There are so many times those who are bulky thing, let’s make a resolution we will lose weight. But nothing can be done the resolution is down the drains within hours. Ramadan gives us to lose weight it’s a blessing for those who wish to lose it. Have you ever thought Allah has marvelous ideas? The thing that we can’t do and are difficult he takes out an easy solution. 

When we put on weight it gets very difficult for us to lose it. Gaining weight is a lot more easier compared to loosing it. When we put on weight we become lazy and lethargic. It is also harmful for our health. In the month of Ramadan people lose weight as they eat less and work more. Therefore Ramadan is a virtue for those who wish to lose weight. When we eat healthy food we tend to lose the fat of our body.

Dietitians suggest in order to lose weight it is necessary that one should intake proper food at correct times.  Allah is great. We will listen to dietitian who is nothing in front of Allah but not do this every day. We all eat at odd times of the day not realizing that it is harmful for us. Allah has made the entire universe according to what they require than why do we break the rules. The main thing in Ramadan is our dedication towards Allah. This is only done by doing what we are told or supposed to do. If we eat our meals like this every day apart from Ramadan we will stay healthy fit and fine.

When we open or break our fast at Iftar time, it is necessary that we should intake a good amount of water. Water helps us to reduce the fats in our body therefore which helps us in losing weight. Remember losing weight is not easy, you can only do this easily in the Holy month of Ramadan. My advice to each one of you is that if you eat good food at proper time it will not only help you lose weight but in order to stay smart it is essential and proven good for health.

Eating healthy food in Ramadan

Ramadan is a time to fast. It is an obligation for every Muslim to fast during this month. As per the rules given in the Quran a person is obligated to fast from dawn to dusk. So a person only takes two meals in an entire day. If you look at this in a scientific way it is not healthy to eat only two meals a day. Therefore in order to stay healthy it is necessary that we intake good nutritious food. It does not make a difference whether we eat twice or thrice a day, it is necessary that we eat healthy food.

At the time of Sehri we should have milk products so that the proteins and calcium required by our body should stay intact. Intake of fruits and cereals in the morning is healthy. It is essential that we should chew our food slowly as mentioned in the Sunnah by our Holy Prophet (PBUH). The intake of lots of water before we close our fast is essential. During the month of Ramadan the consumption of water becomes less, if not taken properly at the beginning of the fast will make us weak and we will lose our energy.

We should try and stay away from the sun in the month of Ramadan as it will make us weak and thirsty. Yes Ramadan is a time of self sacrifice but Allah has not asked us to die in the heat and torture ourselves.

At the Iftar time it is essential for each one to open our fast with water take a minute or two and then eat something light. Our body is not used to eating something heavy and oily in the first few days. People who only drink water and don’t eat anything after Iftar it is wrong. It will harm our body which can weaken you. Therefore it is necessary to make sure that you intake your meals. I would suggest all to eat light go for prayers and then come and eat for dinner in that way you will not harm yourself and you will stay healthy.

Remember eating healthy food will make you able to fast for the entire month of Ramadan or else you will weaken and not be fit to keep your fast. Therefore it is necessary to keep a healthy diet to stay fit for the entire month.

Ramadan Savories - Dhai Bhendi

A Recipe easy to make and very tasty... I have enjoyed eating it and cooking it for my friends and now even for my husband...so do try it out it looks pretty good on the table...


1/4 Kg Bhendi- Okra (cleaned)
1 Cup Yogurt)
1/4 Cup Water) Mix together
1/4 Tsp Garlic)
1 Tsp Poppy seeds - paste
1/2 Tbsp Nigella
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp Coconut paste
1/2 Tsp Green Chillie paste
1/4 Tsp Tumeric
8 Whole small red chilllies
Salt to taste

10 Curry leaves
3 Cloves of Garlic chopped
2 Tbsp Oil
6 Whole small red chillies

METHOD: Heat oil put okra and fry for 5mins. Add all the masalas and little salt and little water
and let it cook till the okra is tender with a slight bite and dry, but dont let it wilt. Before serving heat the okra slightly and remove from the pan and lay it out on a flat dish. Spread the yogurt mixed with garlic, on top of the okra.

Then heat 2tbsp of oil in a pan fry 3 cloves of chopped garlic until light brown, then add 6 whole small red chillies, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds and then 10 curry leaves any for a minute only be careful it burns very quickly. Then evenly spread it out on the yogurt okra and serve.

Ramadan Savory Recipes provided thanks to SRAK at DumPukht Blog. 

Ramadan Savories - Chicken Chunks On A Bed Of Lettuce

2 Cups Chicken cubed into 1 inch pieces
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 Cup Boiled Carrots (not overdone)
1 Tsp Ginger
1 Tsp Garlic
1 Tsp Mixed Herbs
1/2 Tsp Crushed Pepper
1/2 Cup Chopped Green onions
1/2 Cup Boiled Green peas
1 Tsp Mustard seeds
Salt to taste
1 Tbsp Oil
1 Chopped Tomatoes for garnish (optional)
2 Tbsp Mayonaise

METHOD: Mix the chicken chunks in marination of garlic, ginger, mixed herbs, salt, pepper and lemon juice.

Heat oil a karhai and add put mustard seeds, brown them and add chunks of chicken and fry and cook till tender. Lastly add the peas and green onions and stir fry for 5mins and mix with mayonaise and serve ona bed of lettuce garnished with tomatoes (optional).

You can also take pita bread cut into half and fill the bread halves with chicken and lettuce...in order to enjoy a more filling meal.

Ramadan Savory Recipes provided thanks to SRAK at DumPukht Blog

Ramadan Savories - Fish Chinese Style

3 Fish- whole, fillets or pieces (you can use sole, salmon or haddock)
1 Tbsp Cornflour mix together with 1/4 cup Water till smooth
2 Tbsp Soya Sauce
2 Large Capsicums- cut into squares
2 Tbsp Green onions-cut finely
2 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 Tsp Ginger
3 Tbsp Chilly sauce
2 Tbsp Garlic
1 Tbsp Sesame seeds- Roast till light brown
2 Tsp Red chillies (ground)
2 Tbsp Oil


METHOD: Marinate the fish with ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, soya sauce mix well and set aside for 15mins. Fry fish in hot oil add vinegar, chillies, capsicums and green onions fry and add
cornflour and chilly sauce mixed in 1/4 cup water and then add the fish.
Stir fry well and plate it, sprinkle red chillies and serve.

Ramadan Savory Recipes provided thanks to SRAK at DumPukht Blog

Ramdan Savories- Green Chutney

1 Bunch Coriander
6 Cloves Garlic (roast on a flat pan)
1 Bunch Mint
1/2 Tsp Cumin (whole)
4 Green Chillies
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp sugar


METHOD: Grind all this and add lemon juice, mix well and serve with cottage cheese samosas, potato samosa, pakoras and many other kinds of savories.

Ramadan Savory Recipes provided thanks to SRAK at DumPukht Blog