It’s not that we should be spending the entire month in the kitchen preparing for Iftars and Suhoors. Not at all - in fact, Ramadan is a month of worship and devotion and it should be spent with that at the forefront. Having said that, I remember what my Mum used to say when I used to tell her to stop preparing 4-5 items daily for the Iftar spread - she’d say ’ I don’t have to, I WANT to do this - everyone enjoys having food after a long day and they enjoy breaking their fast. They have something to look forward to. I like that. It doesn’t give me takleef’. And I won’t even pretend like it wasn’t true - seeing a spread of lovingly prepared items after a long and hot day of fasting (Iftar used to be at past 9pm in the UK when I still lived with my Mum) used to be the best feeling ever. Alhamdulillah. So whilst I myself don’t do the lavish 4-5 item spread on a daily basis in Ramadan, I do enjoy putting some love and thought into what I make. Now particularly as I have a 5.5 year old daughter who as of last Ramadan has started to become more aware of things, my Mums words ring in my ear as I see my daughter’s eyes light up at the sight of some food items that don’t make much of a show during the rest of the year, such as Rooh Afza milkshake. Here are some Iftar ideas for this Ramadan to help with some inspiration. I know it can be tough getting new ideas! Here’s a compilation of some ideas - some traditionally Pakistani and seen very often on the classical Iftar dastarkhwan (tablespread) and some not so traditional but delicious anyway!
Stuffed Dates
This is a classic way to make the fast-breaking date feel a bit more special. Breaking the fast with a date is considered sunnah, and some sort of preparation like this may help those who aren’t so keen on dates engage more with this sunnah 🙂 This recipe is from CardamomAndTea.com and features 8 different flavours!
Date Roll
A step ahead in creativity from the standard stuffed date, this date roll is a log made from dates and nuts, sliced into rounds. It looks and sounds beautiful! Recipe from Recipe52.com
Chana Chaat
This is another classic, popular Iftar dish. This one also has loads of bonus points because you can DEFINITELY call it healthy 😉 Chana Chaat is made with white chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, an array of spices and beautiful chutneys. This recipe is from ChiliToChoc.com
Kala Chana Chaat
A play on the aforementioned white Chana Chaat, this version is made from black chickpeas. This recipe is from HebbarsKitchen.com
Fruit Chaat
Fruit Chaat was an absolute ESSENTIAL on our Iftar table growing up. I do try to always have something of the sort on my own family Iftar table too - even if it just a humble medley of 2-3 fruits. This Fruit Chaat recipe comes with instructions on how to make a spiced Fruit Chaat masala too. Recipe from TeaforTurmeric.com.
Vegetable Pakora
But, is this not one of the best iftar ideas? Like the OG Pakistani Iftar idea? Lolllllll I could talk about my love for vegetable pakoras for DAYS. I talk about my love for it at length in my recipe blogpost. Every year, I tell myself I will lay off these fried and crunchy goodies. And every year, I helplessly fail. These are without a shadow of a doubt what will come to the majority of Pakistani people’s minds when you say the word ‘IFTAR FOOD’. This recipe is from yours truly.
Chicken Pakora
For something with a bit more bite you have the desi equivalent of a chicken nugget - the humble, but not so humble chicken pakora. This recipe is my own.
Keema Samosa
This is yet another classic Iftar food item for the Pakistani dastarkhwan (table spread). If you ask the people of Pakistan to tell you what comes to mind when you say ‘IFTAR FOOD’ - everyone who doesn’t say pakora will likely say samosa. Please note, I have not verified any of these claims. I have a delicious recipe for keema filling which can be used to make homemade samosas! Check it out here!
Aloo Samosa
A vegetarian variation of the above, Aloo Samosas are a tremendously well-loved snack item which also often graces the Pakistani Iftar table with their presence. You can use this recipe to fill your own homade samosas.
Kachori
Kachori is a flour based dough stuffed and then deep fried. The stuffing can be made using a variety of ingredients - minced meat (keema), peas (matar), lentils (daal), potatoes (aloo) are all popular ones. This recipe is from TwoClovesInAPot.com and is for keema kachori.
Batata Vada
Batata Vada is a Gujerati potato food item - mashed potatoes (batata) formed into a ball (vada) then dipped into gram flour and fried. It’s basically a mashed potato pakora - and I like that. Recipe from Recipe52.com
Dahi Bhala
This is such a popular Iftar dish on many Pakistani table spreads - it’s essentially fritters made from urid lentils (mash ki daal) served in yogurt alongside a selection of spices and sauces. This recipe is from MirchiTales.com
Gold Coins
I have many vivid memories of being forced to stand in the kitchen making these coins as a kid, lol. I hated making them, but my Mum insisted because it was something her Mum used to make too. And now, I make these often too because my husband likes them. Talk about generational cycles. Anyway - this is definitely a heirloom recipe and I love Wajeeha’ from Butter Over Bae’s write up about it!
Chicken 65
Chicken 65 is a Indo-Chinese spicy, crispy and delicious Iftar idea. This recipe is from MyFoodStory.com
Khatte Aloo
Sometimes, after a long day of fasting you’ll want something full of flavour and chattpatta to wake up your taste buds. These tangy potatoes are perfect for that! Bonus is that this recipe is SO quick and easy to make, with no chopping involved! This recipe is my own.
Aloo Chop
Aloo Chops are something that were made A LOT at my Mum’s house growing up during Ramadan, but they didn’t have an official title. As I’ve delved into the world of food blogging, I’ve come to learn these are called Aloo Chop in Bangladesh. I still love making them a few times during Ramadan - my husband adores them. This recipe is from TheKitchn.com
Aloo Tikki
A classic Aloo Tikki is so versatile - serve it alongside dal chawal, a humble pilau, inside a crispy paratha or even on it’s own with some chutney. It never fails to please. What I love about this recipe also is that the mixture for the Aloo Tikki can also be used to stuff parathas and naans with. Recipe is my own, here.
Shami Kabab
Shami Kababs are SUCH a favourite in my house because of how versatile they are. They are wonderful served on their own, but also so good served in a sandwich, alongside Pilau, in a burger. A lazy favourite of mine is to use the mixture to stuff into parathas, like an Aloo Paratha. This recipe is my own and can be found here.
Chapli Kabab
Chapli Kabab originate from Afghanistan and are huge favourite year-round for us, alongside some naan, coriander + mint sauce and salad. This recipe is my own and can be found here.
Seekh Kabab
Seekh Kababs are another year-round favourite, a crowd pleaser that is versatile and easy. This recipe is from RookieWithaCookie.com
Karachi Bun Kebab
How about a tangy, spicy burger loaded with salad after a long day of fasting? It’s a yes from me! The Karachi style bun kebab is such an iconic thing which will really bring back so much nostalgia for so many! This recipe is from ChaiAndChurros.com.
Biryani
This is something that is SO welcome after a full day of no food. Flavour, texture, spice, aroma - Biryanis packs everything in with so much oomph and pizzazz. This is my own recipe for Sindhi Lamb Biryani made with potatoes, but the recipe also includes instructions for using chicken and also for omitting potatoes (but I am a firm believer in adding in those potatoes!)
Pilau
Sometimes you may not be in the mood for a full-on, fragrant and spicy flavour party after a long day of fasting - you may want something more mellow and gently aromatic. Pilau is perfect for this. It is Biryani’s more subtle and sober brother - an excellent guy in his own right, but y’know, different. My Chicken Pilau has been one of my most popular recipes since I started writing this blog in 2015. The recipe is here - and still as loved as it has been all these years, Alhamdulillah!
Hariyali Chicken
This tasty chicken recipe has an added bonus that it is SUPER quick - ready in 20 minutes or less! Serve this alongside a variety of carbs including naan, rice, paratha (paratha roll sounds YUM) and a salad for a beautiful, complete meal. This recipe is my own and can be found here.
Mixed Sabzi
Mixed Sabzi is the fanciest we get in my household with vegetables. And I love it - Mixed Sabzi is ALWAYS a welcome meal, and it is no different during Ramadan. I love to serve this with a buttered roti or flaky, crisp paratha. This recipe is my own, and you can find it here.
Chicken Karahi
Chicken Karahi is a simple curry dish to cook - my recipe is the REAL DEAL, 100% traditional style Chicken Karahi made with loads of tomatoes, ginger and garlic and not an onion in sight. It goes beautifully with some fresh naan and a salad. You can find the recipe here.
Chicken Jalfrezi
Chicken Jalfrezi is a super popular curry dish on the British-Indian takeout scene and I definitely see the appeal. It’s quick cooking, nothing to fancy going on (so perfect to make for Iftar) and is made with boneless chicken, making it something that will easily please everyone. My recipe for Chicken Jalfrezi can be found here.
Chilli Paneer
Though Chilli Paneer isn’t a popular Pakistani recipe (it’s originally an Indian Indo-Chinese dish), this is something that always graced my Mum’s Iftar table at least once during Ramadan. It’s a firm family favourite over there - and I love it too! You can find my recipe here.
Murgh Makhani/Butter Chicken
I developed this recipe with the desire to create something that was the complete opposite of those overly rich, sickening, sweet butter chickens some restaurants serve. This recipe is a comforting sort of rich, juicy and just so so flavourful. No honey and sugar found! Find the recipe here.
Keema Naan
This recipe is a bit more effort than some of the others mentioned in this list - it requires making a yeast-based dough, then making a keema mixture (and optionally cooking it too, if you don’t want to bake raw keema), then stuffing the keema into the dough and then baking/cooking it over a griddle. If I ever do make it during Ramadan, it’s usually a stand-alone dish. But this may also be a good thing, because I do love having one, solid food item to work on in the kitchen as opposed to lots of small things (Looking at you, you gorgeous Pakoras). Anyway, I digress. The recipe to my keema naan can be found here.
Roghni Naan
All these delicious curries… but what to eat them with? If you’re feeling ambitious, you can give some homemade Roghni Naans a chance at home! This recipe is my own, and they would go perfectly with almost all the curries I’ve mentioned above! Click here for the recipe.
Malai Tikka
This is a creamy, succulent BBQ style recipe that goes wonderfully served on it’s own or with naan/paratha. Don’t forget the sauces and salads, though. This is my own recipe and can be found here.
Lahori Chargha
A fancy, show-off-y roast chicken meal, Lahori Chargha is a twice cooked whole chicken - first steamed, and then fried. It’s spicy, tangy, moreish and goes great with naan and rice, alongside sauces and a salad. This recipe is my own, and you can find it here.
Dal Makhani
For a day when you want to cut down on the meat, but also want something warm and comforting. This recipe is from CookWithManali.com
Keema Pasta
This is definitely a keeper for those days when you just can’t figure out what to cook, but also want something good! This recipe is for a Desi style minced-meat pasta from butteroverbae.com.
Chicken Chow Mein
Chow Mein, but not the one from Chinese restautants… oh hell naaaww. The desi one. Nuff said. This one is from ChaiAndChurros.com
Chicken Bread
Chicken bread was something I made A LOT when I got into the kitchen during Ramadan as a young teen. There’s something special about this and I can never quite get my finger on what - I think there’s an affinity to it that’s developed from having food items like this from bakeries in Pakistan on holiday. Whatever it is, something like this is a regular on my Iftar table. Recipe from IKneadToEat.com
Rooh Afza Milkshake
The classic Pakistani Iftar time drink - this one is made with milk and basil seeds. Recipe is from SpiceUpTheCurry.com
Lassi
In my house, nothing does it quite like a sweet and simple yogurt lassi. This recipe is from PakistanEats.com
Mango Lassi
There’s nothing to quite like a Mango Lassi when you’re in the need for a pick-me-up! This very precise recipe from TeaForTurmeric.com uses both fresh mango and mango pulp and gives so many tips and tricks for getting the perfect Mango Lassi!
Mohabbat ka Sharbat | Watermelon and Rose Drink
Cool name, eh? I remember trying this at a friend’s house once during Ramadan and falling in mohabbat…love with it. This recipe is from HoneyWhatsCooking.com
Date and Melon Shake
Incorporating that sunnah date element into the fast-breaking meal, this shake also contains melon and sounds like a right good boost we could all do with! This recipe is from ButterOverBae.com
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