The Global Suhoor Treat: Peremech

The Global Suhoor Treat: Peremech~

After decades of communist rule Uzbekistan is re-embracing its Islamic cultural heritage. The open bazaars in the capital Tashkent is teamed up with snacks in time for iftar. During the month of Ramadan a combination of poetry and prayers are recited during suhoor - this is known as aqajan’s prayers. A sofreh is spread out and a heavy meal is laid out as the pre-dawn meal :)

Explore with me the pre-dawn meal served around the world :D :D

Ingredients for peremech dough:

• ½ cup of yogurt,
• ½ cup of water,
• 3 tablespoons of oil,
• ½ teaspoon of salt & sugar,
• 2 pieces of egg,
• 4 cups of flour.

Ingredients for peremech filling:

• 2 onions; diced,
• 1½ cups of chicken stock ,
• 1 lbs beef; minced,
• 1 teaspoon of garlic; crushed,
• salt and pepper according to taste,
• 1 tablespoon oil egg wash & black nigella for garnishing.

Directions:

1. Combine the yogurt with water, oil, salt, sugar and eggs in a food processor.
2. Add flour and make the dough. Knead for 10 minutes, cover and let it rest for an hour.
3. Add one diced onion and chicken stock into a saucepan; simmer until it is well cooked and set it aside.
4. Mix the other onion with ground beef, garlic, salt and pepper.
5. Divide dough into 24 small balls. Now divide filling among dough circles and place each in the center.
6. Bring the sides together in tight pleats while keeping a small opening in the middle.
7. Apply the egg wash and sprinkle the nigella seeds.
8. Bake in a moderate oven until golden or deep fry it :) :)

The Global Suhoor Treat: Bubur Pulut Hitam

The Global Suhoor Treat: Bubur Pulut Hitam~

In Malaysia, making and distributing ‘buburlambuk’, a creamy rice porridge made of meat pieces, coconut milk, spices and other savory condiments is customary. This is also done at many local mosques :)

Another aspect is the Ramadan bazaar that spring up at almost every corner of the country. This offers an array of delicacies for iftar and suhoor. Local Eid songs are also played on the radio and in shopping malls, adding to the festive mood :)

Explore with me the pre-dawn meal served around the world :D :D

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of water,
• 1 piece of pandan leaf (screw pine),
• ¾ cup of black glutinous rice,
• ½ cup of brown sugar,
• ¼ cup of white sugar,
• 2 cups of coconut milk,
• banana slices (according to need).

Directions:

1. Bring water and the pandan leaf to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.
2. Once boiling, add the rice and stir.
3. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
4. Remove the pandan leaf and stir in the sugars.
5. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove from stove, add the coconut milk and serve with banana slices :) :)

The Global Suhoor Treat: Menemen

The Global Suhoor Treat: Menemen~

Turkey is one of the largest Muslim countries in Europe. After two decades of peace many of its Ottoman traditions are making a comeback. The Ottoman flags and the tradition of firing the cannons are still prevalent :)

On the streets of Sarajevo people make long lines to buy somun (traditional Ramadan bread). The minarets of the mosques are decorated with a green star and crescent. Drummers still go around the neighborhood, drumming loudly to wake people up for suhoor :)

Explore with me the pre-dawn meal served around the world :D :D

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of egg,
• 6 pieces of tomatoes; chopped,
• 2 pieces of green peppers; cubed,
• 2 pieces of red & yellow peppers; cubed,
• 2 pieces of onions; sliced ,
• 1 piece of garlic clove; crushed,
• ½ cup of olive oil,
• a pinch of cumin & dried mint salt and pepper to taste a few slices of beef salami.

Directions:

1. Warm the olive oil in a large pan; lightly fry the onions and peppers for a few minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes and cook until all the vegetables are soft.
3. Add the processed meat slices and cook until the oil begins to separate.
4. Break the eggs and add to the pan.
5. Cover and cook for a few minutes.
6. Season with cumin, salt, pepper and dry mint.

Dates-Nuts Ladoo

Dates-Nuts Ladoo~

This is such a healthy ladoos. It has dates, nuts all good stuffs packed in one. A really quick and nutritious snack, something kids will love to eat and easy for parents to make ;) Hope you enjoy it as much as my family does :D :D

Ingredients:

• 250 g of dates, 
• 250 g of sugar, 
• 100 g of fried peanut (halved),  
• desiccated coconut according to need, 
• 2 tablespoons of clarified butter.

Directions:

1. Wash the dates and drain out the water, seeded it and chopped it properly. 
2. Then fry the chopped dates & halved nuts with the clarified butter some time on a pan and keep aside. 
3. Then cook the sugar with some water until it is sticky and give the fried mixture and stir it very well. 
4. Take it out and pour desiccated coconut on the mixture and stir it. 
5. Now make the ball then roll it on the desiccated coconut. 
6. Now serve it on a serving dish :) :)

Sultanahmet Koftecisi

Sultanahmet Koftecisi~

This is a very popular turkish delights. Very good for parties in special occasions :) :)

Ingredients:

• 225 g of ground beef,
• 225 g of ground lamb,
• 2 pieces of chopped onion,
• 3 slices of bread,
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder,
• 1 piece of egg,
• a bunch of finely chopped parsley,
• light olive oil for shallow frying,
• black pepper according to taste (freshly grounded),
• salt according to taste.

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients very well on a bowl and keep aside in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 
2. Then divide the mixture and make the koftecisi and shallow fry in oil. 
3. Once golden and cooked through, and serve it with pita bread and salad on a serving dish :) :)

Thai Peanut Dressing

Thai Peanut Dressing~

Peanuts in any dressing add a distinct heaviness to it, which is thankfully very healthy sans the guilt of consuming something fattening. The Thais love their vegetables and along with an expansive variety of vegetables they also have a popular dressing, which can be consumed anywhere, anytime of the year!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger,
• 4 tablespoons of creamy peanut mash (roast about 200 g peanuts then make a paste of them),
• ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice,
• 2 teaspoons of soy sauce,
• 1 teaspoon of fish sauce,
• 1 tablespoon of honey,
• 4 tablespoons of water.

Directions:

1. Blend the ginger, peanut mash, lemon juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey and water until smooth and creamy. 
2. You can make it alternately thicker by adding less water to go with certain dishes. 
3. You can store in the refrigerator for about two weeks.

Serving:

Use the thicker form of the dressing for grilled meat skewers, while serve the slightly watery one as a dip with chopped raw vegetables and even potato wedges.

Ricotta Cheese Sandesh

Ricotta Cheese Sandesh~

To be precise, Sandesh & most of the sweet meats of South-Asia are made from only “chaana“ (a soft fresh paneer/ cheese made with curdled milk), & sugar in their basic form, clarified butter or ghee is rarely being used in these; forget the flour, corn flour & the condensed milk used in the “modern” versions. Using flavorings, garnishes & other ingredients like fruits, pulps, etc. are an option. The variety, flavors & texture depends on the time of the year & occasion. With all the sweetness flowing, it is only fair that every occasion is marked with multitude of sweets like during weddings & other family celebrations :D :D

There are a zillion variety in different shapes & sizes; some are dry (sandesh), some are syrupy & soaked (chom chom, kalojam, malai chom chom etc), others floating in sugar syrup (rasgulla or roshogolla). Often the sweet meats are made to look pretty & attractive with nuts, saffron, silver foils & rose petals as garnishes. So sandesh is not just the food; it is a big part of our culture too :) :)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 
• a pinch of cardamom powder, 
• ½ cup of sugar, 
• 1 tablespoon of pistachio-raisin for garnish.

Directions:

1. At first crumble the freshly ricotta cheese and mix with the sugar by the hand on a pan and cook it by stirring it some time. 
2. When the ricotta cheese absorbed the sugar, you spread the cardamom powder, stir it properly and take it out. 
3. Pour mixture on the flat plate and press it with the back spoon. 
4. Allow it to cool down.
5. Cut into desired shapes and and garnish it with the pistachio, raisin or cherry before you serve :) :)