The Holy month of Ramadan is observed every year during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims around the world will be embarking upon an annual period of fasting, they are supposed to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. It is a month of spiritual reflection and self-improvement. Fasting is meant to draw Muslims closer to God through sacrifice and heightened spirituality. Tuesday the 13^th of April marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan. May this Ramadan fill your heart with peace, harmony and joy. Ramadan kareem to all!

60 Iconic Recipes to Fill Out Your Menu for the Holy Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is also a time for celebration, iftar is a social event where family and friends connect and gather around a dining table, breaking bread together. The iftar table displays a wide-ranging mix of dishes, including soups, salads, finger foods, side and  main dishes such as stews, rice pilafs, kibbeh, fatteh, mahshi (stuffed food), grilled meat and chicken and many other Middle Eastern delicacies that adorn the iftar table. Before gathering around the dining table, fasting is broken with water, juice or jallab (made from dates, rose water and carob molasses) and dates are nibbled followed by the rich and festive meal. After one hour or so oriental sweets are served leaving you in owe. There is an abundance of Lebanese sweets that are served during the holy month, typically those sweets lean towards the syrupy side where they existed for centuries throughout the Middle East. There are numerous recipes found throughout  my cookbook, check it out!

Essential Tips:

• Dates: Dates are a common Ramadan fruit that pack loads of health benefits, they are rich in fibers, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Fasting can cause low blood sugar, and dates can help restore it back and provide you with immediate source of energy.
• Water: Increase your water intake during non fasting time to maintain hydration.
• Soups: Soup is an essential dish on every iftar table, and will reload fluids in your body lost during the day and prepares your digestive system for the main meal.
• Salads: Eating greens and salads will help refresh your body with minerals and vitamins.
• Don’t overbroad with eating: Your body needs good nourishment to compensate the stress of fasting, but eat mindfully. Eating a moderate diet can help with weight loss or weight control.

I have rounded up a great variety of soups, salads, finger foods, sides, main and sweets, some are Lebanese and others are a staple at our home that I turn to every year during the holy month of Ramadan.

Soups are easy on an empty stomach and make a great intro for the main meal to follow,I have pulled together a selection of rich, substantial and comforting soups that I turn to nearly every year during the holy month of Ramadan.

Split Lentil Soup with Vegetables: This split red lentil soup is among the favorite soups not only at our house but also all over Lebanon and Middle East. It may vary from one country to another and even from one home to another.  Its creamy smoothness makes it endlessly appealing, nourishing and comforting, especially after a long fasting day

Lebanese Brown Lentil Soup: One staple you will find at our family table during the holy month of Ramadan.  The flavors in this soup remind me of happy memories and all the amazing food my late granny would cook for us. The soup starts with a cozy blend of lentils, onion, and plenty of parsley that are deeply flavored with a perfect combo of cumin powder and seven spice, and finishes with freshly squeezed lemon juice for light and bright flavor; it is silky, smooth with a lovely pale shade of brown.

Cream of mushroom soup is still one of my favorite French soups. For a different flavor, leave out the heavy cream and add a dollop of mascarpone upon each serving. A small drizzle of truffle oil upon serving upgrades this bowlful of creamy mushroom soup, it is used just as a finishing.

Asparagus Soup:What is more inviting after a long fasting day than a hot bowl of colorful asparagus soup! It is rich, creamy and inviting!

Adas bhamod/ Sour Lentil Soup is made of lentils, dark leafy Swiss chard, onions, potato and cilantro, all simmer together, ending up quite soft at the end; olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice form a strong umami flavor, making you always go back for a second bowl.

Zucchini Soup: A quick and easy soup that has a silky texture and a deep comforting taste. You will feel an exceptional sense of satisfaction sipping this zucchini soup.

Creamy Carrot Soup:Ginger and curry leaves give this carrot soup a comforting taste and aroma, and the end result is something that is not only tasty but nourishing and nutritious.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup: easy on the stomach and boost your appetite. Here is a quick and tasty one made with fresh broccoli, cheese, milk and sautéed onions. If you prefer a smooth soup, feel free to blend it, though I like it chunky.

Make your iftar table colorful and special with these inspiring salads. I have got you covered with some great salads that are fresh, healthy and perfect to enjoy at iftar.

Fattoush: While the main dish may get all the attention, it is really fattoush that gets everyone excited and will show up on tables in Lebanon and the Middle East at iftar. Fresh vegetables, toasted or fried pita bread, and a bright dressing composed of freshly squeezed lemon juice, sumac pomegranate molasses, and olive oil; undoubtedly, it remains the queen of salads.

To Die for Date and Goat Cheese Salad: Arugula, mixed greens, goat cheese and fried dates dressed with olive oil and pomegranate molasses. It is do die for seriously, and has got to be my favorite salad to date! Stimulate your palate with exceptional combination of ingredients and taste.

Berry and Arugula Salad with Mayo-White Balsamic Dressing: This is one of my favorite recipes to make when berries are in season.  It is one of those salads that you will crave and by time be a standard in your household.

 Crunchy Pomegrante Quinoa Salad: Look how festive the colored jewels are in this salad! Vegan quinoa salad loaded with fruits and veggies and tied together with pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and olive oil! The quinoa absorbs the pomegranate molasses dressing, making it the best salad you could dream of – it really compliments the flavors.

Fruity Qunioa Salad with Lemon Honey Rosemary Dressing: Here is an amazing salad loaded with tropical fruits plus orange segments and dressed up with an ultra-delicious rosemary vinaigrette.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Spinach, Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seeds: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Spinach, Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seeds is my favorite salad when it comes to clean eating. Festive, healthy, scrumptious.

Potato, Green Brean and Avocado Salad: Talk about garlc, olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice and cilantro. I have served it in lots of occasions and always received rave reviews.

Antioxidant Veggie, Fruity and Nut Salad: A plant based salad that combines a wonderful variety of flavors that happens to be good for you.

Freekeh, Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad: A gorgeous salad that is loaded with freekeh, dried cranberries, halloumi, pomegranate seeds, mint leaves and almonds, all dressed with lemon-olive oil dressing.

Tabbouleh:  It is the mother of all Lebanese salads and one of my favorite green salads of all time and a treat year round at our home and the homes of Lebanese around the world. No gathering is complete without a decent bowl of tabbouleh brought together with Romain lettuce or cabbage leaves, the appeal of a beautiful tabbouleh bowl aws as much to its color palette as to its vibrant flavor!

Here are great finger food ideas that I always go back over when hosting iftars for intimate family gatherings or extravagant iftars, they never fail to impress.

Sfeeha, Lebanese Meat Pie: Serve them as part of the Lebanese mezze or as a main dish accompanied with plain yogurt, whether eaten as a snack or a main, sfeeha always satisfy.

Firecracker Shrimp:   Here is a great appetizer to add to your menu. These Frirecracker Shrimp are a great addition to any party. They are super addictive, especially when served with sweet chili sauce. When entertaining, these are the first thing that disappears from our table.

Jalapeno Poppers Stuffed with Halloumi: Looking for a different way of eating halloumi? How about jalapeno poppers stuffed with halloumi! These are utterly delicious. However, there is just one thing about them – they are hot and zingy! So a fair warning, not for the faint-hearted!

Goat Cheese and Black Olive Rolls

Lebanese Meat Rolls: The rolls are ideal for parties, gatherings and they look great. When I make them, I usually double the quantity because they freeze perfectly; and the good news is that they can go directly from freezer to fryer.

Crispy Spring Rolls: Who doesn’t love those crispy spring rolls dipped in a sweet and sour sauce, they are filled with vegetables and fried to a golden color.

Cheesy Garlic Bread: What would be better than a warm ooey goeey cheesy garlic bread right from the oven!! The end result is crusty bread with a soft cheesy filling flecked with garlic and parsley.

Thick mini pizza: Everyone loves the flavor of pizza, they make a great addition to your iftar table, especially if you have young ones fasting. The whole family will love the wonderful flavor and aroma of these.

Eggplant Chips with Feta and Honey: Impress your guuests with this stylish Spanish tapa. It is a combination of elegance and simplicity. With minimal list of ingredients, this tastes like a gourmet masterpiece – a combination of savory and sweet.

Try out these mouthwatering main and side dishes. They are comfort food and will be the highlight of your Iftar menu.

Kousa Bil Laban: Yogurt based dishes are one of my favorite foods, and a bowl of kousa bil laban is ultimate comfort food to share with family. Stuffed zucchini simmered in a garlicky yogurt sauce, and flavored with a light dusting of dried mint, is a Lebanese classic that never goes out of style –  comfort food at its best.

Riz Bi Lahme/ Ouzi/ Lebanese Rice with Meat: A beautiful aromatic rice served at celebrations, like Iftars Christmas, Eid and weddings in Lebanon; rice and meat laced with spices and steamed to impart a lovely fragrance and taste! A celebration in every bite!

Yakhnet Anrabeet/ Lebanese Cauliflower Stew: The body of the stew is the fried cauliflower. The meaty punch in each bite comes from the cooked meat broth that ties the whole stew together with the fall apart meat pieces. Garlic and coriander/ cilantro are the master combinations which add the subtle flavor to the stew. Serve with rice and vermicelli or  plain rice.

Chicken Bulgur Pilaf: A chicken bulgur pilaf studded with vermicelli and seasoned with freshly grated black pepper.  This makes a comforting main dish for iftar that the whole family can enjoy!!

Pumpkin Kibbeh in a Tray: A great main for iftar, especially for vegans. The end result is a dish singing with flavors.

Lamb Biryani: There are various types of biryani and I guess almost each state of India has a biryani recipe. Biryani has been introduced to the Middle East by the large Indian diaspora there. Absolutely tasty and lots of complex of flavors!

Kibbet Batata/ Potato Kibbeh: When you mention the word kibbeh the first thing that pops to your mind is the raw meat kibbeh, baked kibbeh in a tray or even the football shaped kibbeh; you may never think of kibbeh as a plant based dish. Potatoes are hearty and can replace the meat easily. Potato Kibbeh is quite healthy, tasty and inviting, serve it as a main or side dish. Scrumptous!

My Mom’s Lebanese Moussaka: Lebanese Moussaka / Maghmour, a vegan stew packed with the lovely Mediterranean flavors, talk about a velvety eggplant stew studded with onions, garlic, olive oil, tossed with dried mint, and stewed with tomatoes! The taste is incredibly divine, whether served as main or side dish, Lebanese moussaka never fails to amaze!

Oven Roasted Salmon: Sometimes simple is best, and this is one of those recipes that I would categorize in that profile.  No fancy ingredients are involved; the ingredients that douse the fish are butter, freshly grated black pepper, salt and lemon juice. Yet the end result is soft, buttery, juicy and full of agreable flavors!

Grilled Kafta Kebabs: Grilled kafta kebabs, a delectable barbecue treat. Serve it with grilled tomatoes, hummus and pita bread.

Garlic Shrimp Saghetti: This is a family favorite, and the best thing about it is that it takes 20 minutes to put together. I love to add chopped cilantro to the dish while sautéing the garlic. It gives the dish a vibrant color and a delicious flavor, but most of the time I prepare it without cilantro since my family is not a huge fan of it. Try it with or without to decide which version you prefer.

Loubia Bzeit: A classic Lebanese vegan dish made with green beans, onions, garlic and stewed with tomatoes. Serve it as a side or even main.

Mujadara with Bulgur: A frugal meal suitable also for vegetarians and vegans and regarded as poor man’s food, entirely made from your pantry, filling and most importantly delicious and nutritious. Serve it with fattoush, Middle Eastern salad or even some plain yogurt on the side! And I tell you, it is a meal fit for a king!!

Fasolia Bil Zeit/ Vegan Bean Stew: A delicious one pot Lima bean stew simmered in tomatoes, flavored with garlic and cilantro and heated with a kick of cayenne pepper to boost flavors. An easy meal with minimal washing up. Seriously, can’t be easier to make and so flavorful. Serve it as a main or side.

Chicken Freekeh Porridge:  bulked up with freekeh, chicken and onions,  tied together with a homemade spiced chicken broth and seasoned with allspice. A warm ball of chicken freekeh is both nourishing and comforting, and will make you feel full for long due to its high fiber and protein content.

Horaa Osbao/ Harak Osbao: A high protein Syrian stew, techniqnically a thick soup, chock full of flavor and brimming with nutritious ingredients, naturally vegan and incredibly comforting.

Mujadara Makbousa: A hearty, creamy and nutrient slow cooked mujadara that makes a sort of a thick porridge rather than a dry pilaf. Makboussa in Arabic translates to mushy – mujadara makboussa has that creamy texture!  Serve it as a main or side!

Shrimp Kabsa: There are various methods to prepare this dish. The following is an easy and very delicious recipe. The recipe captures its wonderful flavors from the cumin powder, chili powder and dried lime(loumi). The dish is flavored with stewed tomatoes, onion and garlic, and served with a tomato sauce on the side. This recipe can be customizable to your taste. You can swap out the shrimp for canned tuna or cooked fish.

For a show-stopping sweet finish I have narrowed down these desserts to treat your family and loved ones, from sugar syrup based sweets to puddings, cakes and ice cream. Heavenly!

Sugar Syrup Arabic Syrup (Ater): Suagr syrup (Ater) is used in a wide variety of Arabic sweets. It is either drizzled over baked or fried oriental desserts, or baked or fried goods are dipped in and lifted out to sweeten and enliven them. Make sure to add the orange blossom water at the end of the cooking. The syrup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Awamat, Lebanese Doughnuts: The fried balls have a crispy brown exterior with a dense sugar syrup interior. A vegan, dairy free and egg free recipe and a crowd pleaser both in taste and quantity.

Knafeh Nabulsieh/ Kunafa:  Here is a different version of knafeh/ Kunafa from that I grew up eating in Beirut! Knafah Nabulsia/ Kunafa Nabulsia hails from Palestine, specifically from the city of Nablus in the West Bank. A Cheesy-stretchy cake gloriously encased with crispy browned shredded filo pastry, drizzled with sugar syrup.

Knafeh with Bread: A flat platter usually made with semolina dough(farek) and a filling of melted gooey cheese or clotted cream. It is baked to golden brown and drizzled with sugar syrup. Conventionally, knafeh is made using Akkawi cheese that needs to be soaked to desalt it, alternatively, mozzarella can be used as a substiute.

Bite-sized kunafa/ knafeh/ Osmalleyia Nests: Here is a beautiful twist to the classic osmalleyia! Bite-sized osmalleyia or kunafa with a filling of mascarpone and bananas ! The miniatures are typically more elegant and more perfect for a buffet style entertaining!!

Znoud El Sit: Crsipy on the outside and are filled with clotted cream, fried to a golden color crisp and dipped in sugar syrup. Seriously hard to resist after a long fasting day.

Maamoul Mad Bil Ashta: Semolina bars filled with clotted cream, crispy on the outside with a cream white filling on the inside. They are decadent and make a great finale to your iftar.

Ashtalieh with Coconut: Ashtalieh is one of my favorite desserts to make when entertaining as it can be prepared one or two days before and kept in the fridge, it is served with sugar syrup on the side.

Lebanese Milk Ice-Cream: An eggless ice cream flavored with salep/sahlab, mustic gum and rose water, and dressed up in raw ground pistachios. The end result is a rich, creamy and mouth-watering ice cream.  Trust me on that a taste to remember!

Khoshaf: A Middle Eastern dried fruit and nut salad dressed up in an apricot juice and flavored with orange bloddom water, so refreshing and tasty.

Jello and Mascarpone parfait:  Jello, mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, and jam on top .. all in a glass. Elegant and easy, right? Mascarpone is always a winner in any dessert. Sometimes we need an easy peasy dessert!

Flan: Whether you call it crème caramel, crème renversée or flan, depending on where you live, this silk, smooth and creamy dessert with its running caramel sauce, never fails to amaze and will take you over the moon.

Lazy Cake: Easy, delicious and impressive. Serve it frozen, cut the desired slices, wrap the rest tightly and return back to the freezer, will keep well in the freezer for two months.

Strawberry Tiramisu: You can call it a strawberry trifle, a finger-licking dessert, make it one day ahead and keep things simple.

Orange Cake/ Le Gateau Sevillan: Perfumed with orange zest and dressed up in an orange syrup, the result is a delicately buttery and moist flavored cake. It may remind you a bit of baba cake in terms of moistness, elegant in its simplicity!

Chocolate Cake with Nutella and Mascarpone Filling: Though making a tunnel cake looks like a daunting job, I tell you it is undoubtedly easier to make than a layered cake.  A showstopper in terms of taste and look, and when you slice into it, you can see the tunnel of the Mascarpone mixture; adding it to your must bake list won’t disappoint you!

Eggless Strawberry Mousse: The mousse is made of fresh strawberries to keep the dessert fresh and fruity. The other ingredients are heavy cream, powdered sugar and lemon juice! Add a drop of strawberry extract for a more vivid taste! So satisfying.

^{Check the Round Up of Food to Eat at Suhoor}

The book is now available, with free shipping for prime members on Amazon

• A hard cover cookbook of irresistible family meals including soups, salads, appetizers, eggs, pastries, yogurt dishes, stuffed food, grains, pasta, gratin, chicken, fish, meat, sauces, sweet pastries, cold cakes, cakes, tarts, pies, oriental sweets and jam and pickles.
• Recipes range from the standard Lebanese home-style meals to a melting pot recipes from all over the world.
• The book features a section on how to set a dinner table as well as an extensive section on Middle Eastern spices and kitchen utensils.
• More than 90 percent of the recipes have never been published on the blog.
• The recipes in the book are simple and require no fancy or specialty appliances to prepare.
• Each of these recipes is a true labor of love that was created at home, in my own kitchen where I shared every bite of every recipe with my family and friends.

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