Ramadan Nibbles

It's that time of year again for me, dear readers. I think it's great how many people in the West now know about fasting in the month of Ramadan. For me personally, Ramadan is a time to be more conscious/aware of our relationship with God and with the people around us. To put in that extra effort towards becoming a better person, and being truly appreciative for everything positive in our life. Showing love, generosity and charity to those in need plays a major role. It's a time to set bitterness, jealousy and hatred aside for good, and start afresh. Sort of like rebooting your internal spiritual computer once a year! And yes, the fasting from sunrise to sunset is supposed to help with that. I say "supposed" because I can see how it can work a bit like meditation - you shut out the material world and focus inwards. Honestly though, that's easier said than done. Especially if you're a working individual in this part of the world. Here, a job is a job, and there's no excuse for you not performing a 100% at work. But I suppose that's the test. If it was easy, there wouldn't be much of a point to the whole thing!

The part that many people end up focusing on, however, is the food. It's like when something you took for granted is taken away from you, it's all you can think about! I confess to being guilty of that many a time. But a big part of what makes Ramadan fun is getting together with family and friends every weekend, and cooking the highly-anticipated Iftar (sunset) meal together. This is my very first Ramadan when I'll actually be at home, instead of working long hours at an office somewhere - and I couldn't be happier! I have all the time in the world to plan out what variety of little bites (it works somewhat like tapas) I can prepare for DH and I for the Iftari. Then there's dinner too, which comes later, but is obviously lighter fare than on normal days) Here are a couple of new items that I've incorporated into my Iftar menu this year; they're quick and easy and pretty darn fabulous!

Hummus (got this great recipe from The Sassy Foodie)
Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 medium can chickpeas, washed & drained
3 tbsp tahini (sesame) paste, or to taste - you might find this in the "international" section of your grocery store
2 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 or 2 lemons
Salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil (about 4 tbsp)
Sprinkle of hot paprika and ground cumin

Method:
Dump the chickpeas, tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper into a food processor. Start to blend, and pour the olive oil in a thin stream through the spout, till the mixture inside reaches a smooth paste-like consistency. Taste for salt, pepper & lemon. You can even add more tahini if that's what you want.

Take this entire mixture and spread it out in a circle on a plate, using the back of a spoon. Make a fairly wide indentation in the middle. Sprinkle all over with paprika and ground cumin (or in a pretty pattern if you have the patience). Just before serving, pour more extra virgin olive oil into the indentation. Serve with warm pita bread.

I've been seeing fresh figs in the grocery store lately, and have to grab a bunch every time, even though they are a bit pricey. When I was a kid growing up in the Middle East, we used to get these gigantic black figs once a year (about the size of my kiddie fist), and they were a real treat. My dad and I adored them. So eating these small ones now are the next best thing, and bring back lovely memories. I just eat them as is usually, but thought I'd change things up a bit this time.

Soft, dark and mysterious on the outside ...

Ruby-red and bursting with sweetness on the inside! You eat the whole thing, skin n' all.

Fun With Figs

Ingredients:
Fresh figs, any kind
Thick Greek yogurt OR ricotta cheese OR mascarpone cheese
Honey
Chopped pistachios

Method:
Cut each fig in half, and place them pretty side up on a platter. Put a dollop of yogurt or cheese on each half. Drizzle lightly with honey. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Then pop the whole thing into your mouth and let the juices flow! Nature's candy, folks.


More delicious bite-sized recipes to come. It's only been 3 days of fasting so far - 27 more to go, so I better keep cranking out more foodie ideas. A happy and healthy Ramadan to all!

These recipes will be going to Lubna over at Kitchen Flavors, who is currently hosting Joy From Fasting To Feasting (Season II).