Ramadan 2008

[merijan 0]

Last year I converted two days before Ramadan and my husband didn't know yet. It was my first Ramadan and I was alone.

It was actually very special to me as a time I could concentrate on myself and Allah... I was lucky that there was Iftar every day at my mosque (even if it was a 45 min drive ) and I had people to share it with. I was there about 3 times a week. I made sure to learn 1 new thing every day and stayed for the recitations.

This year I'm a little scared of loosing sight of what Ramadan is all about - I think it will actually be harder with my husband here. He will expect more and I don't know if I will be able to handle the lack of sleep my schedule was very different last year. This year I will be wanting to sleep as soon as I break fast - I don't like waking up before 5am on little to no sleep

On top of everything else, I've been told by my Imam that even if your sick you should make every effort to fast. I was told even diabetics or people with chronic diseases are expected to fast and make arrangements with their doctors about what to do if there are complications.... anyone else think this is a bit extreem?

On the happy side, I can read arabic now (although I don't always understand it ) and plan to recite the quran this year as well as read the english translation first - have to know what I'm reciting I'm kinda hoping my husband will help me with this and it's something special we can do together.

He's home now so I think I will bring it up this weekend

I was told different about being sick. If your sick and fasting can hurt you health you dont have to fast. And with diabetes you have to be carefull and if it will effect your health you dont have to. Its not suppose to harm you , fasting. If your pregnant or nursing the same you dont have to and some say you should not fast.

[nunyab 0]

So I told my husband that I am going to look on line for Hirara soup and learn to cook it... his reply lol,

"baby i will not be getting that this year (he is alone in Spain w/o family) but next year you can cook All Ramadan and I'll be happy"...

my reply???? only if I am not working will that happen sweety. As lonesome of the idea is to be alone on Ramadan it also will give me an idea of what to be prepared for.

I am not sure if it's silly but i am starting to get myself ready by smaller meals now during the middle of the day.

Any other foods that is good for breaking fast??? Hirira and.......

Also, yes my in laws love appletts and cottlets from washington state i'am indeed going to send some this year.

Rajaa

One popular thing with Arabs and Paki's is samboosa or samoosa .

huh??? and that is??

[merijan 0]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

[Nothing1234 2]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

Yummy!

[Sassy1natl 0]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

Yummy!

Hmmmm...I am thinking of samosas and chicken tikka for dinner tonight. Yummmm

[Nothing1234 2]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

Yummy!

Hmmmm...I am thinking of samosas and chicken tikka for dinner tonight. Yummmm

I'm coming over! LOL

[Sassy1natl 0]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

Yummy!

Hmmmm...I am thinking of samosas and chicken tikka for dinner tonight. Yummmm

I'm coming over! LOL

Where do you live Nawal?...lol. The more the merrier.

[Henia 11]

Any other foods that is good for breaking fast??? Hirira and.......

Rajaa

Prophet (saw) broke then fast with milk/lebn and dates. So many Muslims worldwide do this.

Here in Algeria, which shares many similar customs with Morocco ... Usually here in Algeria (also in my house) Ramadan is a big deal with the meals, starting off with a big bang ... even thou this really isn't the whole purpose of Ramadan or fasting .... but many dishes prepared, eyes and stomaches are filled. But usually as the days pass we eat less and less ... But the table is always full when guests come!

For sohour,I usually make Seffa, Achida, Oum Ali, msemen (plain or filled), croquettes, brioche, some type of quiche or French toast. Try to be creative in the beginning but as I said as more days pass, the need for food passes.

We usually break the fast with milk and dates (plain or stuffed). Chourba is a staple at every meal. So in Morocco they make the Harirra soup. As is homemade bread, lahma helou, bourek (called samsboussa in ME), and some type of salad. Other then that I usually made a meat dish or two then a starch. After the meal, we have fruits. Then later after Tarawee prayers, we come back for tea and sweets (the basics: tarts, basboussa, cakes, kalb louz, baklava, samsa)

Personally, if my husband wasn't so much a traditionalist and eater I would just simply make the soup, few boureks and a salad. When I wasn't with my husband, usually broke the fast at work, sometimes with co-workers Muslims and non-Muslims ... sometimes went out to eat ... but rarely eat at home since what for?

If you want I can post some recipes ... guide to help you for the future

[Jenn! 918]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

They're similar to what are called briouat in Morocco.

[Henia 11]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

They're similar to what are called briouat in Morocco.

Yup! She is right!

But in NA they are made from warka leaves (also called douel) ... some also make them from homemade dough similar to pasty dough.\

How many bourek/briouats does your SO eat? LOL!

Edited August 15, 2008 by Henia

[Jenn! 918]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

They're similar to what are called briouat in Morocco.

Yup! She is right!

But in NA they are made from warka leaves (also called douel) ... some also make them from homemade dough similar to pasty dough.\

How many bourek/briouats does your SO eat? LOL!

The recipe that I have calls for phyllo. I'll have to look for Warka - are they easier to work with than phyllo? I hate phyllo!

I actually use egg roll wrappers because they're so easy, and Wadi loves them just the same. He can eat a dozen no problem!

[Henia 11]

Samboosa or samoosa's have ground beef with spices or sometimes potaotes and they are placed in like a pastry, like wonton wrappers, or eggroll wrappers, or even some people use torillas. and folded into triangle and fried. They are very yummy and later I can write recipie for you if you would like.

They're similar to what are called briouat in Morocco.

Yup! She is right!

But in NA they are made from warka leaves (also called douel) ... some also make them from homemade dough similar to pasty dough.\

How many bourek/briouats does your SO eat? LOL!

The recipe that I have calls for phyllo. I'll have to look for Warka - are they easier to work with than phyllo? I hate phyllo!

I actually use egg roll wrappers because they're so easy, and Wadi loves them just the same. He can eat a dozen no problem!

Warka is actually the handmade homemade phyllo they use in Morocco. Little tiresome to work with I agree but not as tiresome as douel which rips all the time!

In the US, I too used wanton skins ... real easy! I wish they made them here! Too much hassle to make your own!

My husband too, if they are not greasy and loaded with meat/cheese can eat a dozen! LOL! Me max 3 if i push it! LOL!

[Henia 11]

Page designed for children but also useful to the new Muslim and anyone interested to learn: http://www.freewebs.com/salafisisters/thmprekramadan.htm

Esp like the Ramadan Blessing Book for children!

[S and S 12]

I keep hearing of these complicated meals to break the fast for Ramadan. Is it really necessary? I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean that it is just me, my father (who is not muslim or fasting), and maybe inshallah my husband. I don't have any friends near me or family so I don't see the point in cooking all that food. It would just go to waste or I would have to keep eating the same thing every evening for days. I was thinking it might be good to just make a big fruit salad that can be used with Iftar and Sahoor, a regular vegetable salad for Iftar and making a main meal with some vegetable sides. Is anyone else thinking it would be better to go simple or am I just being lazy and cheap? I just feel like the whole point of fasting isn't to gorge myself as soon as the sun sets which is what these huge meals would do unless you had a lot of mouths to feed. If you have a lot of people then it would make sense. I hope I'm not offending anyone. It just seems like too much for me.

[Jenn! 918]

I keep hearing of these complicated meals to break the fast for Ramadan. Is it really necessary? I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean that it is just me, my father (who is not muslim or fasting), and maybe inshallah my husband. I don't have any friends near me or family so I don't see the point in cooking all that food. It would just go to waste or I would have to keep eating the same thing every evening for days. I was thinking it might be good to just make a big fruit salad that can be used with Iftar and Sahoor, a regular vegetable salad for Iftar and making a main meal with some vegetable sides. Is anyone else thinking it would be better to go simple or am I just being lazy and cheap? I just feel like the whole point of fasting isn't to gorge myself as soon as the sun sets which is what these huge meals would do unless you had a lot of mouths to feed. If you have a lot of people then it would make sense. I hope I'm not offending anyone. It just seems like too much for me.

I can't speak for anyone else, but we often have 4-6 friends over for iftar (not every night, but a couple of times a week). That's when we'll do something "special". The other nights is usually leftovers and whatnot.