Can you believe that the most blessed month of the year for Muslims has arrived? Ramadan is here, and although the pandemic has turned it into a different celebration for Muslims all over the world, the faith is still intact!
Ramadan is one of the most important moments in Islam, a time for prayer, reflection, reading the Qur’an and moderation of pleasures. One of the most well-known and important aspects of this holiday is fasting, however, food and its symbolism also have a great significance for Muslim families. For many believers it is an opportunity to cook traditional dishes and enjoy them with their loved ones. And if you are far from home, the taste of Ramadan will bring you closer to your loved ones!
The true meaning of meals in Ramadan
Food, tradition and family come together every night in Ramadan! If the day is dedicated to fasting and reflection, the night is a time for sharing with family and friends. Every night of this month, Muslims break their fast with Iftar, a dinner where traditional gastronomy and sharing are the main protagonists.
So it is solidarity! In Ramadan, sharing goes beyond family and friends – generosity extends to the entire Muslim community! Non-profit Arab associations in Arab countries organise free dinners called mawa’id al-rahman, to feed those most in need.
In addition, thanks to new technologies, it is becoming progressively easier to contribute to the celebration of Ramadan in any part of the world and to be close to our loved ones!
5 simple steps to plan your meals in Ramadan
During the month before and during Ramadan itself, Arab shops are filled with Halal and Ramadan-typical foods. It is very important to plan these meals because the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time you will have for prayer, reflection, good deeds and family time!
That’s why at Moneytrans, we recommend 5 simple steps to help you plan your Ramadan meals and make the most of this celebration:
1. List your favourite dishes
Make a list of 20-30 traditional Ramadan meals, but not just any list – collect a list of your friends’ and family’s favourite dishes. This will make your menu a truly special menu! Besides, you know that when you cook for the ones you love, you always add some love that makes any dish tastier!
Once you have your list, eliminate the dishes you don’t think you can cook and keep the ones you definitely cannot miss. This list will help you calculate how much food you will need to make sure you have plenty of variety.
2. Plan yourself
Put the meals you have selected on a calendar. This will help you plan your shopping, but more importantly, you can save a lot of food: if you think you’ll have leftovers, you can plan that meal for the next day!
3. Make a shopping list
Although this may be the hardest part, by making a list of everything you need, you will be able to figure out the food needed for your recipes and your budget.
4.Go to a reliable shop
Where to buy food is very important. That’s why we recommend you to go to a reliable, 100% Halal-certified shop and buy large quantities in advance. At this time of year, sales increase and anticipation will be your best ally.
5.Enjoy it with your loved ones
This Ramadan, no matter if you are near or far from your loved ones, the taste of Ramadan will continue to connect us all over the world!
Cooking for Iftar? Here you have some ideas!
Recreate your best memories of Ramadan through traditional Ramadan dishes, and if you need some ideas, here are 10 recipes or dishes that you can’t miss!
– Harira: Ramadan smells like Harira, a delicious soup made with chicken, tomato, parsley, onions and coriander that is the star of Iftar in many houses at this time of the year.
– Mlawi: this puff pastry made from wheat flour is the perfect accompaniment to Harira!
– Couscous: it is not only one of the most emblematic foods of Ramadan, but of all Arab cuisine!
– Sfijas or Fatay: tasty pies stuffed with meat or vegetables, seasoned with pepper and lemon.
– Tabbouleh: a cold salad made with wheat semolina that will delight your guests.
– Qatayef: this dessert is a fried dough, soaked in syrup, perfumed with rose water and filled with nuts, cinnamon, sugar or cheese.
– Briwat: this puff pastry filled with almonds and covered with butter, sugar, cinnamon and orange blossom water is one of this month’s traditional desserts!
– Baghrires: These pancakes are a must!
– Tea of your choice, always present in Muslim homes!
– And of course, fruits such as dates, plums or sultanas!
Moneytrans family wishes you a blessed Ramadan wherever you are.
Ramadan Mubarak ☪️
This month, feel closer than ever to your loved ones! Contribute to your relatives’ Ramadan celebrations by sending them money with Moneytrans. ➡️ www.moneytrans.eu
