![Party Platter Fruit Salad with Yogurt & Honey]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Jun 20, 2015 | Appetizers & Snacks, Dessert, Iftar
One of the most wonderful things I see on Iftar tables is an abundance of fruit. I respect the person who spends a lot of time chopping up a ton of fruit for their guests, but it can be a lot of work, and sadly it’s usually the platter that has the most left over at parties.
Let’s change that by making a few changes- first of all, don’t cut everything. You can cut a few things that are harder to eat uncut (i.e bananas, melons, even cucumbers though not a fruit go well on these platters), but leave the rest uncut even leaving some fruits like peaches and apricots whole so that people can take them on the go as they leave out the door for taraweeh prayers.
I like the platter serving style because it’s pretty and colorful and easy to arrange. I use fresh seasonal fruits, of course, so that depends where you are and in what season you’re making the platter. I like to place a bowl of yogurt in the middle with a drizzle of honey so guests can simply dip the fruit in or spoon out a bit onto their plates. It tastes so good with fruit, I don’t know why we don’t eat it this way more often.
Here’s what I put on this platter and it was delicious and well-received.
![Fresh & Fruity Coconut Water]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Jun 19, 2015 | Drinks, Iftar, Ramadan, Suhoor
There’s no doubt that one of the hardest part of the fasting day might not even be going without food, but going without water. That’s why it’s super important to hydrate during the non-fasting hours, all throughout those hours. It’s easy to remember to do if you make a huge jar of a natural, hydrating drink and keep it on hand to fill up large cups to drink after eating the Iftar meal, take it on the go to the taraweeh prayers, and more.
I made this wonderful large jar of fruity coconut water earlier in the day, refrigerated it and took it out at Iftar time. I drink as much as I can throughout the night and before it’s time to stop eating and drinking once again. Use fresh fruits you have on hand, the best coconut water you can find (or just water) and fresh herbs from your garden to make it extra special and refreshing.
![Fruit Chaat]()
by Yvonne | Jul 17, 2013 | Appetizers & Snacks, Iftar, Ramadan, South Asian
The perfect starter to a Ramadan Iftar meal, this deliciously-spiced fruit salad recipe was submitted by reader Shazia Wahid. From experience, I know it tastes just as good as it looks and it’s the quintessential dish to appear at an Indo-Pakistani Iftar table during Ramadan.
![Sour Cherry Syrup & Flavored Yogurt]()
by Yvonne | Jul 23, 2010 | Breakfast & Brunch, Dessert
Have you heard about all of the wild things they put in good old fashioned {commercial} brands of yogurt? Some contain high fructose corn syrup; others have pork-derived gelatin. If you’ve visited this blog before, you know I’m absolutely against the addition (and creation of) high fructose corn syrup in anything. Additionally, foods with swine are not halal (permissible).
That said, over the years I’ve begun to make a lot of foods myself, including yogurt. Flavored yogurts are absolutely delicious, but homemade varieties sometimes just don’t have that added sweetness you might be after if you’re just mixing fruit and yogurt in a blender. I’ve found a great way to get that creamy, delciously sweet taste by preparing a fruit syrup ahead of time.
In this recipe, I’ve used sour cherries because they are currently in season. I bought them fresh and decided to eat some and make syrup out of the others. You could do the same with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or other fruits you think would taste delicious in a yogurt. I’ve recently made a gooseberry jam in a similar way. I just might be adding it to my yogurt very soon…
If you’ve never made syrup before, my advice is to take your time. Cooking times may vary. When I first followed a recipe for syrup, mine was still quite liquid for much longer than the recipe directed. If that happens to you, just continue to cook on low. Insha’allah, it will become thicker. If you’ve taken your eye off the prize for a while and have a thicker outcome, don’t despair. Just turn off the heat, allow it to cool and add it to your yogurt, anyway. Have fun. Experiment. Enjoy.
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5 Simple Steps For Preparing Ramadan Meals
10 Tips to Keep You Efficient in the Kitchen During Ramadan
![Fruit Kebobs]()
by Yvonne | Jun 26, 2010 | Appetizers & Snacks, Dessert, Kid-Friendly, Ramadan, Suhoor, Summer
There is nothing more refreshing to me on a hut summer day than cold, cold watermelon. Pineapple is great, too. So are melons! I just love them all and I love them cold. I made these kebobs because not only did I have a lot of fruit from my foray at the grocery store that morning, but I also wanted it to be fun for my little cousin to eat. I thought if she saw the fruit in small bites and on a stick that she might find it more fun to eat, especially when topped with a tiny strawberry from my edible balcony garden. Turns out she did eat the fruit, but not with as much excitement as the adults in the bunch. I guess everyone gets excited when fruit actually tastes like fruit because it’s served fresh and seasonally.
Fruit kebabs are so simple to make, you don’t really need a recipe. Just slip any of your favorite fruits onto a wooden skewer. Grapes, oranges, thick slices of peaches will all go great on a stick. If you plan on grilling fruit, a peach & pineapple combination would be absolutely delicious together.
