In the last few days of Ramadan, you might be feeling a bit heavy from all those samosas, fried vegetables and the Krispy Kremes you’ve probably popped out to get after your evening prayers. And there’s no shame in that! You’ve had a long, hungry day. In case you want to get your diet back in shape in preparation for all the scoffing you’re bound to do on Eid day. You might even find some ideas you want to try out for next Ramadan; these healthy Ramadan recipes are great for sharing with family and friends, and won’t leave you feeling too heavy for your prayers.
After a day of fasting, you’ll want a meal that’s delicious as well as filling. Grilled chicken will hit the spot whilst lying low on the calories. Prepare your own marinade if you want to be sure you’re eating healthy! Wash 1.5 kg of chicken pieces, wings or otherwise, and toss them in some oi, 3 cloves of minced garlic, a teaspoon of paprika, 1.5 teaspoons of soy sauce, and some salt and pepper to taste. Then chop 3 potatoes into wedges, and after drizzling some oil on top, pop the chicken and wedges onto separate trays into the oven for 25 minutes under 180 degrees. Squeeze some lemon juice on top and there you have a yummy meal that requires minimal effort before iftaar time.
This is a healthy recipe to try out that is worth the bit of extra effort. It’s a massive crowd-pleaser and you’ll be itching to make it again when it’s done. To make this soup, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in an oven-safe pot, and throw in a large chopped onion, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 peeled and chopped potatoes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and season with salt and pepper. Set aside the veg for a while, while you brown 850g of lamb pieces, with the bone, adding more oil whenever needed. Add the veg back in, turn the heat to medium-high and add half a cup of dried apricots, a cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf, 1.5 teaspoons of ground allspice, 1.5 teaspoons of ras el hanout, a North African spice, a tin of plum tomatoes and 3 cups of meat or vegetable broth, and boil for 6 minutes. Cover the pot and place in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes, then add the chickpeas and put the dish back in the oven for 30 minutes. You should now have a delicious, healthy Ramadan meal perfect for sharing with the family, that can even be frozen and reheat later on whilst still preserving the aroma and taste.
This South Asian classic is great for Ramadan and rainy days. It’s warming and easy on the tummy, making it one of our great healthy Ramadan recipes to use throughout the month. Wash and soak 2 cups of basmati rice for half an hour. Wash 1 and a half cups of lentils, and heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pressure cooker. Add a few slices of onion, salt, and a tablespoon of garlic and ginger paste. Add the rice and lentils, and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Add four cups of water, and cook the mixture in the pressure cooker until cooked. Add salt to taste. This is the simple version, but you could always add veg like cauliflower to bulk it up if needed!
Much healthier than a chip shop kebab, and personally, a bit tastier too! These aren’t your skewer kind of kebabs, but eat these with a salad, or an omelette on the side and you have a great, healthy recipe to try out for sundown. Drain and mix a can of tuna with 2 cracked eggs, 1/2 a cup of grated potato, 1/2 a cup of chopped onion, a teaspoon of garam masala, and salt to taste. Make them into flat kebab shapes, and brush with oil and bake until brown! Serve with a fresh mint sauce.
Ready in less than 5 minutes, this recipe is a refreshing accompaniment to your iftaar, and will boost your energy with only wholesome ingredients. Put 2 bananas, and 6 seeded dates, as well as a cup of plain yoghurt into a blender, and you have an easy peasy meal.
A light snack or a meal in itself, this Asian dish is a good starter to your evening meal. Mix together 1 chopped red onion, 1 chopped green chilli, 2 diced, peeled potatoes, 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1/2 a teaspoon of garam masala, and a pinch of salt until all combined. Mix in plain yoghurt and top with tamarind sauce, and washed and stemmed coriander leaves.
Couscous is always healthy, right?! Especially when paired with baked fish. This spicy dish will wake you right up at iftaar time and will quieten that growling in your stomach. Wash 4 fillets of cod, or a fish of your choice, and pat dry. Make a marinade of ginger garlic paste, paprika, turmeric powder, garlic powder, garam masala, lemon juice and salt, and 1/2 a chopped onion. Marinate the fish and leave for an hour, and then place in the oven for 160 degrees Celsius. Make some couscous and serve!
While a classic Indian biryani can be far from healthy, this slightly altered version is a healthy take on Mum’s favourite dish and is a spectacular Ramadan dish to try out. In a large pot add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 chopped red onion and soften for 3 minutes, then add a 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds, a few peppercorns and a cinnamon stick for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of ginger paste, 1 tablespoon of garlic paste and 1/2 a cup of water, and add veg and potatoes, like carrots, or cauliflower. Add garam masala, turmeric, chili powder and salt and cook. Stir in 4 cups of water and 2 cups of washed basmati rice, until all cooked. This is one of our healthy Ramadan recipes you can cook en masse!
Another North African dish, this Algerian recipe is a beautiful mix of meat and a good, hearty sauce. Mix 500g of beef mince with 2 cloves of minced garlic and a tablespoon of chopped onion. Make the mixture into balls, and brown in oil. Make a tomato sauce with tinned plum tomatoes, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder, and you have one of our healthy Ramadan recipes that’s easy to make and impress with.
A remix of a Mexican classic, this fusion dish is a must if you want to carry on the traditional Taco Tuesday during Ramadan! Sautee onions in oil, then garlic and ginger paste and add breast chicken pieces, and cook through. Add tandoori masala powder, 1/2 cup of yoghurt, cumin, garam masala and chilli powder, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir until cooked and coated, and add into taco shells! Delicious and fit for a Ramadan party.
Avoid getting overly bloated this Ramadan with these healthy Ramadan recipes, and look forward to your scrumptious meals every evening!
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