Eid Al-Fitr
24 recipes found
Turmeric Chicken Skewers With Green Olive Yogurt
These skewers offer a simple yet delicious way to bring the bold flavors of Moroccan cuisine to your table using a handful of spices. But what truly sets this dish apart is the green olive yogurt sauce; the creamy, tangy addition ties everything together. Inspired by the way olives are paired with chicken in Moroccan tagines, this briny sauce balances the warm spices. It's perfect for gatherings but just as great for busy weeknights, and while grilling adds depth, a grill pan works beautifully, too. Serve with a simple tomato salad, roasted or grilled vegetables or flatbread.
Chicken Yakhni Pulao (Pakistani Chicken and Rice)
Pakistan’s original meat and rice dish for special occasions, yakhni pulao is the demure rival to the more lavish, layered and spiced chicken biryani. Unlike biryani, yakhni pulao is delicately spiced and the rice is cooked in a quick yakhni (broth) made from the bone-in chicken pieces, which get added back to the rice toward the end of the cooking process. Golden sautéed onions give the pulao its distinct earthy color, while aromatic peppercorns, cumin, cloves and cinnamon flavor the rice. Green chiles provide a kick and yogurt a bit of sourness. Serve with a hefty curry like kaddu with greens and shrimp, butter paneer or Kerala-style vegetable korma, or alongside dal like masoor dal, sabut masoor dal or chana masala, or by itself.
Keema Palak (Ground Chicken and Spinach Curry)
This comforting ground-chicken dish is layered with typical Desi spices: cumin, chile powder and garam masala. Finished with tender baby spinach, it has all the makings of a satisfying one-pot meal. In most keema (or ground-meat) curries from the Indian subcontinent, onions and meat are sautéed separately in two steps, but this recipe calls for cooking them together, along with ginger and garlic, a shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor. Spices and tomatoes follow, and a hefty amount of quick-cooking baby spinach is added toward the end, adding a mild earthiness that balances the bold spices. A splash of lemon juice adds freshness and brings everything together. Serve it with rice or roti for an easy, flavorful meal that comes together in 30 minutes.
Shami Kebab (Crispy Beef and Chickpea Patties)
Widely considered the Rolls-Royce of Desi kebabs, shami kebabs have a silky smooth, almost creamy texture, with a thin outer shell that forms at the time of frying, giving the kebabs structure. The key to achieving the crisp exterior and creamy interior is cooking well-marbled chunks of beef with spices and chana dal until tender, then running the mix through a food processor. This paste-like mixture is used to form round patties, slightly smaller than hockey pucks. You can dip them in egg and shallow-fry right away, or freeze them, uncooked, to enjoy later. Like samosas, they freeze well, so are often found side by side at tea time, quickly fried up as a snack for unexpected guests. They also make for excellent sides at lunch or dinner, especially on special occasions. Sandwich a leftover kebab or two in a potato roll, add ketchup and a fried egg for bun kebab, the ubiquitous Pakistani street food.
Chickpea Fatteh (Crispy Pita, Chickpeas and Yogurt)
Every family has its own way of making chickpea fatteh, but the layers of toasted pita, chickpeas and yogurt sauce always deliver a contrast of creamy and crunchy, warm and cool, sharp and earthy. This version, adapted from Sawsan Daana, the Palestinian chef of Matbakhi restaurant in Kuwait City, includes a layer of hummus in addition to the whole chickpeas, as is typical in Amman as well as Jerusalem, where she was born. Lebanese and Syrian versions skip the hummus and lean more heavily on tahini in the yogurt sauce (see Tip). Whichever route you take, this impressive dish is far easier to pull off than it looks, since the steps are straightforward and many ingredients repeat. If you like, you can prep everything but the toppings one or two days in advance and assemble when ready to serve.
Eggplant Fatteh (Crispy Pita, Eggplant and Yogurt)
There’s no single way to make eggplant fatteh, a layered dish of crispy pita, tender eggplant and yogurt-tahini sauce that is beloved across the Levant. In this version, adapted from Salam Dakkak, the chef of Bait Maryam restaurant in Dubai, the eggplant is roasted instead of deep fried, a perfectly tasty compromise that requires less cleanup. The contrast of temperatures and textures — crunchy, creamy, hot and cool — makes the dish unforgettable. Fatteh is best served immediately, so the pita chips stay crisp. To make this easier, all components can be prepared ahead, with the eggplant roasted last (or simply reheated) and the dish assembled just before serving.
Um Ali (Sweet Milk and Phyllo Pudding)
Um Ali (which translates to “Mother of Ali”) is a creamy, crunchy Egyptian dessert that could be considered a distant relative of bread pudding. Traditionally a wafer-thin bread is used to form the foundation, which is baked in sweet milk and topped with a handful of nuts and raisins. This version uses phyllo, buttered and baked until golden, which allows for softer, milk-soaked bits throughout the dessert and crispy pastry bits on top. Feel free to get creative with the toppings, using whatever nuts or dried fruits you have to hand. Often served during Ramadan, this dessert is pure comfort.
Sheer Khorma (Cardamom Vermicelli Pudding)
Essential to Eid celebrations across South Asia, the tradition of preparing this dish is unique to each household. They all result in a creamy pudding, with ghee-fried vermicelli simmered in sweet milk, cloves, cardamom and fried slivered nuts. Stirring the blend in a heavy pot ensures even heat distribution to develop a creamy, almost caramelized texture. The value of blanching and slivering nuts is to achieve a crispness that far exceeds that of nuts left with their skins on. A splash of fragrant kewra water brings the dessert together, its delicate floral notes enhancing the pudding’s richness.
Haleem (Spiced Beef, Lentil and Barley Stew)
Heavily spiced with peppercorns, fresh ginger, cumin and garam masala, this slow-cooked stew is rich with meltingly tender beef and thickened with tender, broken-down dal and barley. It’s typically prepared in big pots to feed a crowd for special occasions like Eid in Muslim communities across India and Pakistan. While haleem is traditionally slow-simmered on the stove for a few hours (see Tip for the stovetop method), this version, made in an Instant Pot, achieves a similar result in just over an hour. Briefly pulsing the stew in a food processor or using an immersion blender during the final moments of cooking is the easiest way to achieve the stew’s signature silky texture, but vigorous whisking will also do the trick. Serve with roti, naan or pita.
Kaab el Ghazal (Gazelle Horn Cookies)
Kaab el ghazal, also known as gazelle horns, are cookies beloved by many Moroccans and are typically shaped like a crescent, mimicking the curve of a gazelle's horn. They are made from a fragrant almond-based dough, flavored with orange blossom water and a hint of cinnamon. In this version, the dough is coated in sesame seeds before baking, giving these gluten-free cookies a distinctive nutty flavor and a subtle chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, aromatic filling inside. Often enjoyed with tea, these cookies are a staple during special occasions and celebrations such as Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Traditionally, blanched almonds are ground at home in a food processor, but this recipe simplifies the process by calling for store-bought almond flour.
Chicken Pastilla
Pastilla, or B'stila in Moroccan Arabic, is one of the most iconic Moroccan dishes. Traditionally served during special occasions and festive gatherings, it masterfully balances sweet and savory notes, aromatic flavors and contrasting textures. While the original recipe calls for pigeon or squab encased in warqa (a thin, Moroccan pastry), this version uses chicken and phyllo pastry for a more accessible approach. The pie features layers of spiced chicken, caramelized onions, fluffy scrambled eggs and crunchy almonds. The chicken is cooked with the onions, then removed to allow the onions to caramelize while the almonds are toasted and eggs scrambled. However, all the layers can be prepared up to two days in advance; store them in sealed containers in the fridge, except for the almonds, which can be kept at room temperature. While the dusting of cinnamon sugar on top is optional, it’s a beloved tradition among many Moroccans, who typically enjoy an extra touch of sweetness.
Basmati Rice
How to cook rice to its perfect texture is an art: too much water and it’s gloppy; too little, and it’s dry and brittle. If it’s cooked for too long, it smushes together; not enough time and it’s grainy and hard. Different types of rice require different cooking methods, too. This recipe, specifically for long-grain basmati rice, boils it down to a science. The rice-to-water ratio used here is 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 cups water, but thoroughly drained rice, heat levels, cook time and resting time can all impact results. Even the size of the pot matters; you’ll want to select a small one in which the water level rises an inch above the rice level. Follow the steps exactly and cooking long-grain basmati rice is no longer an experiment but a formula.
Aloo Palak (Spicy Spinach and Potatoes)
Onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and layered spices make the base for this deceptively simple vegetarian main or hefty side — a preparation well-suited for the humble potato and spinach. As is typical for South Asian dishes, aloo palak packs a fiery punch. The key here is chopping the potatoes into 1-inch cubes so they cook quickly. Since spinach doesn’t take as long to cook, it’s added toward the end when the potatoes are almost done. Use frozen chopped spinach for convenience and dinner can be ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. Serve with rice, roti or store-bought pita.
Chicken Kofta in Tomato Gravy
Kofta are delightful little balls of heavily spiced ground meat, most often beef or lamb. They exist on a spectrum of flavors and textures across multiple regional cuisines and even continents (and spelling variations exist). In Pakistan, they are tender and cooked in a spiced gravy. This kind of preparation makes them perfect to eat over basmati rice and roti, the gravy poured over the former or sopped up with the latter. Though traditionalists will say poppy seeds are a must, this chicken version makes allowances for what might be available. Gram flour acts as a binding agent and vinegar is a tenderizer. Make the kofta ahead of time (and the gravy, too, if you like) and freeze for up to three months. To cook from frozen, add the kofta directly to simmering gravy.
Kerala-Style Vegetable Korma
A korma can be made with any combination of meats and vegetables, braised or stewed. In the Indian coastal state of Kerala, where coconuts are abundant, vegetable korma is made with desiccated fresh coconut and coconut milk. This quick, convenient version uses the same foundation — onion, tomatoes, ginger and garlic — while skipping the fresh coconut. It works just as well with whatever combination of fresh or frozen vegetables that might be handy. Cashew butter is used in place of making a paste from soaked cashews. Black mustard seeds add complex bitterness; Thai green chiles, black pepper and garam masala give it a kick. Cutting corners doesn’t quell any flavor in this recipe.
Namoura (Syrup-Soaked Semolina Cake)
Amanda Saab, a social worker and home cook who lives near Detroit, riffs on her Lebanese grandmother's recipe for namoura, a cake made from semolina flour, soaked in syrup while it's still warm. When she serves it at iftar dinners during Ramadan, Ms. Saab often doses the syrup with a little bit of lavender extract. You could follow her lead, or use another floral note like vanilla or rose. The cake has no eggs, but this version gets its rich flavor and texture from aerated yogurt, which goes bubbly within minutes of being mixed with a little baking soda.
Rose and Almond Ghriba
These delightful cookies, which are adapted from "Casablanca: My Moroccan Food” by Nargisse Benkabbou (Firefly, 2018), are like a cracked and caky rose lukum, a jelly candy often referred to as Turkish delight. Ghriba is a specific type of cookie that Moroccans bake all year long. Recipes vary depending on the region or the family, but they all have one thing in common: They are cracked on the outside and chewy on the inside. When it comes to ghriba, the flavoring possibilities are endless. The most popular varieties are almond, coconut and walnut.
Mango Lassi
Mangoes tend to vary in texture and sweetness depending on where they are from; tart varieties can add sour notes to salad while milder mangoes go well with chile and lime. In Pakistan and across South Asia, there is a revered, intoxicating sweetness to most mangoes. Adding yogurt and milk to chopped bits balances that sweetness and makes this Punjabi mango lassi the perfect chilled drink for hot summer months, when the fruit is in season. This recipe adds honey to the mix, making allowances for the kind of mango that might be available — but you can skip it, if luck sources sweet mangoes. For added luxury, finish the drink off with powdered cardamom and crushed nuts.
Chocolate Burfi
Burfi is a very sweet Indian candy — similar to fudge, but slightly earthier and more milky — that is typically made with some combination of milk, sugar, ghee and flavorings. In Indian culture, burfi is often given as a gift, accompanying any kind of celebration: a birthday, a holiday, even a simple get-together of friends. This recipe, adapted from Raja Sweets in Houston, caters to those looking for an accessible entry point to the world of burfi; it offers a slight variation on the basic formula by adding a layer of cocoa-infused khoya (the name for the milky base).
Easy Baklava
Einat Admony, the chef at Balaboosta, Taïm and Bar Bolonat, came up with a simplified version of baklava that was featured in “Food52 Genius Desserts: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Bake.” Instead of stacking individual layers of phyllo dough, Ms. Admony calls for rolling up the nut filling in the phyllo and slicing it into discs as you would cinnamon rolls, then baking and drizzling the slices with syrup. Like traditional baklava, they are shatteringly crisp, gooey and sweet in all the right places, but much less work. Her original recipe calls for raw peanuts, but roasted work just fine.
Mrouzia Lamb Shanks
This recipe for mrouzia, a Moroccan tagine of lamb shanks with a syrupy sauce made with onions, ras el hanout, honey and raisins, is adapted from “Casablanca: My Moroccan Food” by Nargisse Benkabbou (Firefly, 2018). This centuries-old dish has been around so long that traditional recipes call for large amounts of animal fat and honey, which were needed to preserve the meat before the invention of modern refrigeration. Mrouzia is usually served to celebrate Eid al-Adha (also known as Eid el-Kabir), or other special occasions. Enjoy with fluffy couscous or plenty of crusty bread.
Rendang Daging (Beef Rendang)
Rendang is one of the national dishes of Indonesia, and its tender, caramelized meat is usually reserved for special events, such as weddings, dinners with important guests, and Lebaran, the Indonesian name for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Bathed in coconut milk and aromatics like galangal and lemongrass then reduced until almost all moisture is evaporated, rendang can be served with turmeric rice. Rendang, a dish designed to keep for hours on a journey, has traditionally fed young Indonesians leaving home for the first time on merantau, a right of passage that teaches them about the bitterness and sweetness of life. Created by the Minangkabau, an ethnic group native to West Sumatra, this version from Lara Lee’s cookbook, “Coconut & Sambal,” is a nod to the multiple iterations of rendang across the nation, culminating in a rich and hearty slow-cooked meal. Rendang keeps in the fridge for several day or frozen for up to three months; to reheat, cover the beef with foil and heat in the oven at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until piping hot, or microwave uncovered for three minutes stirring halfway through.
Muzaffar Seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli With Cardamom)
Desserts made with seviyan — toasted vermicelli noodles — are popular all over South Asia. Sumayya Usmani, who writes the food blog My Tamarind Kitchen, remembers eating this particular dish, Muzaffar Seviyan, every year in Pakistan, where she grew up, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the feasting holiday that signifies the end of Ramadan. Toasting the broken noodles in butter until they smell nutty is the key to the dish’s depth; the next layer of flavor comes from cooking them in spice-scented milk or syrup; finally, nuts and dried fruit provide crunch and chew.
Spiced Lamb and Rice with Walnuts, Mint and Pomegranate
A baked lamb and rice dish I tasted in Istanbul, etli pilav, inspired this one-pot meal, topped with walnuts and fresh mint and pomegranate seeds. Similar pilaf-style rice dishes are made all across the Middle East and into Asia. Kabuli pulao in Afghanistan is acclaimed; the Persian baghali polov ba gusht is justly famous, as is the Lebanese Hashwet al-ruz; and there are myriad fabled biryanis made with lamb (or goat) in India and Pakistan. Pomegranate molasses is available in Middle Eastern groceries or online. It provides a sweet-sour, fruity undertone, but you may omit it and still get good results. Try a squeeze of lime instead.