August 8, 2011

Fruity Ideas to Celebrate Ramadan

This time of the year is so special. Even with the rising mercury and the overwhelming heat of the Arabian dessert.

As, here is Ramadan. Ramadan, the most blessed, austere and cherished month of the Islamic calendar. One of the most beautiful time of the year and our favorite too.

Though a bit behind, let me wish you all, Ramadan Kareem. Especially my dear readers and friends observing the fast.










It's a unique season in every sense. I particularly love the spiritual high from activities like group gathering to break the fast, night prayers in fully packed mosques, reading Quran, increased faith and closeness to God, acts of piety and charity, preparing meals to share with family and friends despite abstaining from food and drink, inviting people to our homes for Iftar and receiving invitation to their homes to break-fast together. 

A simply beautiful experience. Something that makes this holy month truly amazing.

And, you know what? There is no better place to observe the fast and enjoy the spirit and joys of the season than in an Arab Persian Gulf states like Qatar.

Al-hamdu-lillah. Thankfully.




Life has been good over the past few days. Despite the sultry August weather. 

The very first day of Ramadan, my new Pakistani friend and neighbor, brought us a delicious and lavish Iftar feast with choices like fruit salad, dates, nectarines, pakoras, bajjis, spring rolls and a spicy chicken dish—one of my favorites from the meal. And I must say, I was touched that she shared her first Iftar meal with us. Inspired by this lovely gesture, I was filled with a rush to share my food with them. So I did, the next day. And that’s how the month began. A truly beautiful beginning of sharing and caring.

And then one of my other neighbor and friend, Sunitha, kindly dropped by one day with a lovely cake. So special.

Truth being said, there’s plenty more to share. But, let me wait until my next post.

Well, it’s August and we are into the dogs day of summer. Even so, the good thing is that the markets are still bursting with plenty of ripe, luscious and juicy emblems of the season—fruits. So what better time to have a bit fruity fun to keep you healthily energized? On the dot, before the end of the season. 

Here are some of the fruity ideas from our Iftar menu. Nothing fancy, but simple and nutritious recipes. Flavorful and colorful too.

First, we always break the fast with dates and zamzam water, if possible. A tall glass of freshly squeezed and chilled juice made with a variety of flavors like lemon, orange or watermelon follows. Nothing flashy, but simple drinks easy on the stomach. And then we go for a bowl of refreshing fruit salad with a good selection of seasonal fresh fruits like apple, strawberry, pear, grape, nectarine, apricot, mangoes and kiwi.

I made a couple of ice pops on the first day of Ramadan. With mangoes, apricots and raspberries. Especially for my kids, particularly my younger one who was also fasting.

You see, each time I buy fruits I plan to make something scrumptious with them, but alas, they rarely seem to make into a dish except salads or juices.
Let’s look at the recipes, shall we? All fruity, easy and tasty. Trust me!

Refreshing Fruit Salad
It’s quite simple and easy to whip up a delicious fruit salad with plenty of bold summer flavors. Here’s how I do it.

In a large bowl, toss plenty of diced seasonal fruits with caster sugar and a generous splash of orange blossom water or rose water. The marriage between sweet juicy fruits and delicate floral flavors is simply remarkable—you should try it. Sometimes I use the pulp and seeds of passion fruit to add aroma and flavor, other times just a few teaspoons of sweetened orange juice. 

Whatever your choice, go slowly, adding bit by bit and tasting, to prevent overwhelming the natural fruity flavors. Then, cover and chill the fruits for up to 4 hours until the juices run down and the flavors are infused. Spoon into individual dessert dishes or glasses. Top with ice cream or vanilla yoghurt, if you like, or enjoy it on its own, the way I prefer.

Watermelon Whizz

What better drink that screams summer in a glass than watermelon? Its high water content makes it an iconic thirst-quencher, besides the classic lemonade.

This is a simple juice that makes the most of the gigantic fruits juiciness. A perfect drink to sip on a hot summer day, especially after fasting.
Watermelon Whizz


Ingredients
Makes 4

24 seedless watermelon balls
4 cups seedless watermelon chunks
juice of 1 lime
caster sugar, to taste (optional)

Directions


Scoop out the flesh of watermelon using a melon baller; chill. Then use the scrap to make the juice. Put the watermelon chunks into a food processor with the lime and sugar, if using, and process until smooth. Pour through a fine-wire mesh sieve into a large pitcher. Discard pulp and seeds, if any. Chill until ready to use—at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.


To serve, divide the melon balls among 4 glasses and pour over the juice. Serve with straws and spoons, and enjoy!

Apricot raspberry popsicles

Summer is all about fun. So why not have a little fun with summers freshest fruits to make these multicolored frozen treats? A great idea to satisfy the kids as well as the kid in you!

After a long, hot day of fasting and praying, the pops came quite handy as our Iftar finale. My kids and I took a few deep breaths, stretched our legs and enjoyed every sip of this homemade icy treats. Flavored with juicy mangoes and golden orange apricots, alternating with stripes of reddish pink raspberries, this sweet-tart pop packed a surprising intensity of flavors.

Here’s the recipe for a frozen treat with a real kick.
Apricot raspberry popsicles

Ingredients
Makes 6

2 small mangoes, peeled, pitted and diced
4 small apricots, pitted and diced
½ cup orange juice (I used Almarai 100%)
2 tablespoon caster sugar, or to taste
1 cup raspberry

Directions

Tip in the mangoes, apricots, 1 tablespoon sugar and orange juice into a food processor. Then blend it all together until completely smooth. Pour into a mug, scraping down the sides of the blender.

Rinse the blender with water and then pulse the raspberries with 1 tablespoon sugar, until smooth. Taste and add more sugar, if desired. Then push through a fine sieve into a mug and discard the seeds left in the sieve.

Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of raspberry puree into the bottom of 6 molds and then add the apricot mango layer. You don’t need to necessarily freeze the first layer before adding the second as the puree is quite thick. Top it with the remaining raspberry puree. Once the layers are in place, insert the stick and chill in freezer for 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight.

To remove, run hot water over the outsides of the molds for a few seconds, then gently pull the sticks.

If you don't have popsicle molds, use dixie cups or plastic cups and peel it off after it has frozen. If using cups, freeze until slushy, about 30 minutes, and then insert sticks. There are no rules when it comes to containers—check out this post for more whimsical ideas.
So, lemme sign off on that sweet note. 

I’ll be back soon, I promise.

In the meanwhile, eat healthy, stay cool and enjoy Ramadan. May this season bring joy, health and wealth to you and those you love.


68 comments:

  1. Only you can make fruits look so gorgeous and scrumptious !! Loved the oranges and plate in the first pic. I hope you have submitted them to tastespotting and foodgawker. Pls tell me u have..No criticism on this. Picture perfect and one of your best looking posts !
    PS: From all your descriptions, I am definitely going to join you one Iftar evening. ;-)
    PPS: Pardonnez-moi for the ignorance but which is the fruit featured just above the watermelon whizz? You have the tree in your garden? In this scorching weather??

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  2. Hey! Thanks for the promptness and the sweet notes, lovely :) Yep, plz do join us for Iftar. It'll be a pleasure! Btw, that's lime.. not from my own garden, but yes from the garden in my compound, and it's full of fruit even in this weather :))

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  3. Wow what a gorgeous shots...love it totally.

    Pavithra
    www.dishesfrommykitchen.com

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  4. Ramadhan Kareem to you too, these fruity ideas are perfect for Iftar, love it. Thank you for linking with Any One Can Cook :)

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  5. wow, your pics are stunning as usual, and those fruits look yummier than real life! I am enjoying my watermelon pops right now:-)

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  6. Wonderful clicks as ever. Very nice....

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  7. Ramadan kareem to you too Nas , the pics are just awesome , truly Ramadan is my fav time of the year .

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  8. Wow beautiful pictures nad lovely ideas

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  9. So very colourful! I can absolutely see the benefits of these beautiful salads and fruits drinks after an entire day of fasting....

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  10. very interesting Water melon juice.. i never tried it before... it look refreshing and with so hot month of Ramadan it gives a cool refreshing and soothing taste...
    I am back from my vacations and in blogging world too…
    A little post to share some of my moments of vacation... hope you like to visit and enjoy it...
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  11. wow all that looks amazing dear....sure to gve it a try

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  12. Perfect Iftar menu, what could be better than that? Very refreshing pics! Wishing you a blessed Ramadan!

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  13. Perfect n these ideas r absolutely divine n yumm

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  14. Salams,Wishing you a blessed Ramadan too! We too take fruit salad for Iftar but adding floral water is something new.Thanks for the tip.I'll try it out.And the popsicles.Thanks for reminding Nash.Jazhakallah! I also enjoyed the true essence of Ramadan being in Doha for four years.Now in Dubai,it's not as it used to be.anyways,Mashaallah!beautiful clicks.

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  15. Professional clicks,drooling here! Loved the ideas :)

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  16. hey there...that was an interesting write up...
    thnks fo dropping by and enquiring..works been keeping me a bit busy n so cooking has been hurried and pica are so horrid i don feel like blogging :)
    will resume once i get somethin good enough.

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  17. gorgeous clicks and super yummy treats.

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  18. Ramadhan Kareem to you Dear!!

    These pictures are so pleasant and refreshing.. Just perfect for Iftar.. Love the pictures.. and I was awed by the watermelon juice picture.. and those little white flowers.. wonderful wonderful :)

    Thanks For Linking it with Iftar Nights..

    Jabeen's Corner

    Ongoing Event-Iftar nights

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  19. Gorgeous clicks..everything looks so refreshing n colorful..I am drooling over here..Great work!!

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  20. Nice post!! Lovely presentation!!

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  21. Awesome post.Superb notes with fabulous clicks...Perfect idea to break the fast.Healthy and filling.
    Ramadan Kareem !

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  22. Awesome superb and very beautiful pictures:)

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  23. Wonderful shots as usual. And lovely fruity collection for Ramadan...

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  24. Ramadhan Kareem to you too dear. Mind blowing pics Nash. No words to describe. Really if I was staying anywhere near to you no doubt I would have always visited you dear. I love this Ramadhan month a lot. Loved this post a lot.

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  25. ramadhan kareem to you too.stumbled here fr khadija 's beautiful pics

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  26. Lovely ideas! everything looks refreshing and delicious.

    Happy Ramadan!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  27. very gorgeous clicks.amazing

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  28. Lovely post and nice presentation.

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  29. lovely photographs! ramadan kareem
    gorgeous food

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  30. Splendid, awesome cliks!!!And ramadan karim to u n ur family..Thats a nice info u have given :)
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  31. Refreshing.....absolutely love the clicks!!!Happy Ramzan.

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  32. Excellent clicks! So many delicious dishes in one entry...I love each of them.

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  33. Happy Ramadan Karim dear....I just cant take my eyes off your pics dear...Are fruits so beautiful....or is it ur magic...anyways love them...

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  34. Loved your Ramadan post. Beautiful fruity pictures.

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  35. Lovely post and lovely clicks as usual.Just looking at the pictures it self is so refreshing.I have never tried passion fruit in fruit salad will have to try this soon.Happy Ramadan to you and family.

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  36. Just too gorgeous pictures .. i kept reading the post again and again. Can't take my eyes off the photos!

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  37. hey Nashira....Happy ramadan to you and your family dear...This post looks awesome with some very very nice clicks and refreshing recipes...happy to join you too ...
    cheers

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  38. Gorgeous photographs and lovely fruit ideas.

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  39. Happy Ramadan to you and your family..Love the picture of oranges..so pretty..hope you have a great holy month :)

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  40. LOOKING GORGEOUS WONDERFUL IDEAS.
    1ST TIME HERE THANKS FOR STOPPING I AM HAPPY TO FOLLOW U KEEP VISITING

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  41. awesome Nash! Wishing u gorgeous Ramadan! Your pics are tempting me to go on fruit fast!

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  42. Ramadan Kareem... the pictures looks perfect..... !!

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  43. marvellous cliks...beautiful post dear..:)
    Tasty Appetite

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  44. Loveliest clicks! Amazing!!! You made me speechless by allowing your pictures to speak...:)

    Ramadan Kareem wishes to you and yours.

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  45. I totally agree with u on gulf thing....celebration doubles in those nations....nice to see u have some bunch of friends with whom u can celebrate...Allhumdulliah...love those fruityly delicious ideas....perfect for iftaar....thanks for linking to the event....have a blessed month...

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  46. every fruity recipe is captured beautifully!

    wishing u a very happy Ramadan!

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  47. Ramadan Kareem to you dear. Fantastic clicks and you made simple food looks appetizing .....

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  48. WOW!! All of them looks super-yummy and fabulous..Amazing clicks!! Happy Ramadan to you and your family..

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  49. WOW...REFRESHING AND TEMPTING PICTURES!!!...I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO TRY WATERMELON WHIZZ.....YUMMMM!!...WISHING YOU A HAPPY RAMADAN!!

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  50. Nashira, Lovely name :) and a lovely write up! I do remember our navarathri days when we did a lot of the same things like invite each other to our homes to share freshly made goodies. The lot of Iftar ideas are healthy and hydrating! Lovely pics too - Happy Ramadan and Iftar to you my dear! blessed are you to be in a place where the celebrations are so sanctimonious
    hugs,
    Priya

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  51. Truly wonderful and flavourful way to celebrate Ramadaan..shots of fruits are awesome, making the fruits more tempting

    hosting Monsoon Medley and a giveaway

    Sukanya

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  52. Beautiful photography, lovely ideas:)

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  53. Hi Nashi, I really wish I were your neighbour too. Ramadan Kareem to you too. It is the time, when I most miss being with family and friends. :( Hopefully, trying to make it to India next year. Insha Allah...

    You have presented here a colourful treat with fruits. Each one is lovely and the pics are gorgeous (as always!!).

    For your question, you can enquire for the Barberries in Persian and other oriental shops. Ask by their Persian name 'Zereshk'. If I could find them in Germany, you would surely find them in Qatar too. :)

    I haven't tasted Kerala's Jeeraka Kanji. But, the one I was referring to also has jeera in it. I think, both are the same, though there might be little regional differences. :)

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  54. Such beautiful photos!! LOVE them all!
    I am a great fruit fan! I believe i can live on them :)

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  55. Ramadaan Kareem to you and your family.
    Wonderful and marvellous pictures. Brilliant idea with variety of fruits to celebrate Ramadaan. Gorgeous presentation.

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  56. Hi Nash - Ramadan Kareem to you and your family. There are a few amazing Ramadan bazaars in Penang where they serve up sumptuous selection of foods. Mark & I can't want to visit the one near by our area soon. Lots of interesting Ramadan food ideas. Have a blessed one as you observe the holy month.

    PS: the popsicles look refreshing!

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  57. What beautiful pics. I think I have seen it for real somewhere:-)

    I am awaiting your next post:-)

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  58. Ramadan mubarak
    beautiful post delicious way to have fruits for iftar

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  59. Thank you so much dear for your lovely comment & for the voting too! So kind of you :)

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  60. Thanks so much, everyone, for the wishes and the sweet notes!

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  61. wow..amazing pics..i can pause any work that iam doing to admire these pics peacefully...to be honest i admire ur pics patiently that i cant able to concentrate on the content...double thumps up...-
    Meena's kitchen

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  62. Ur pics makes me drool over. Thanks for commenting on my space, and yes, I use fresh mushrooms, button variety mostly. Since, am vegetarian, mushrooms are great substitute for many dishes. Again, you click amazing pics. Am following u now.

    Nupur

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  63. I am speechless after seeing all those beautiful photos. Feel hungry now, after looking at all those beautiful dishes.

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  64. Hi Nash, just to let you know you've been selected as my blog giveaway winner! Drop by to the site to get your payasam;-) and email me your address so I can post the teapot before Eid!

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  65. Meena, that's so sweet of you!

    Nupur, thanks much for getting back to me. Thank for the support too :)

    Thank you, Sensible Veg!

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  66. Hey Jehanne, I can't contain my excitement...! Suddenly feeling all energized in spite of the flu :) Thanks hon for giving your readers this generous opportunity. Girl I'm so happy to win--YIPPEE!!

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  67. They look so yummy! Hmmm I'd love to squeeze some fruits for those yummy shakes! Thanks for sharing your fruity ideas.

    Ramadan Kareem!
    JV - Ramadan Messages

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi