Yallah Middle East 3.0, For the Middle East and Egypt People

[~Jackie~ 30]

Blessed Ramadan.........we start with dates and water. Mohammed likes rice-y dishes like maglooba and mensaf.

Early in the morning we have toast and cream cheese. I need to eat more at this meal this year, any suggestions?

Jackie

[Henia 11]

By the way it's going to be my first Ramadan with my husband here. He said he was going to start when Jordan starts, so if anyone has pointers about what to eat or drink when fasting is done for the day I would sure like to hear them. I am trying to get knowledgeable on the subject and what to feed him.

Ramadan is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim religion; it is also one of the most anticipated and exciting holidays of the year. Just like any other large holiday, excitement starts to build weeks before the month actually begins!

During Ramadan, the morning and evening meals are treasured not only because they are the time for eating, but also because they offer the chance for family and friends to eat and celebrate together. Because everyone eats at the same time (and are HUNGRY after a day of fasting) there are often many, many dinner parties over the month's course. People meet at the Mosque or in each other's homes and eat delicious feasts. Nowadays, traditional foods meld with present day favorites to make for a fantastic looking dinner table. So your husband might want to check out your local masjid also.

Well everyone seems to make different dishes for Ramadan, so I am not sure what is eaten in Jordan but generally the all-around common thing are...It is said that the Prophet Mohammad himself recommended including dates as part of the Suhoor meal!

I generally use the following dishes for my Suhoor meals...

Fig and Date Bread

• 1 cup chopped pitted dates
  
• 1 cup chopped dried figs
  
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  
• 1 cup boiling water
  
• 1/2 cup white sugar
  
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt<LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch baking pan. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In a medium bowl, combine the dates, figs, butter and baking soda. Pour in the boiling water, stir well and let stand for 15 minutes. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Beat the sugar, walnuts and eggs into the date mixture. Combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the date mixture just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.
  
• Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely
  
• 
  
• Pomegranate Jelly
  

• 4 cups pomegranate juice
  
• 7 1/2 cups white sugar
  
• 2 lemons, juiced
  
• 1 (6 fluid ounce) container liquid pectin
  

1. 
   <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Combine pomegranate and lemon juice with sugar in a large, stainless steel saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, and at once stir in liquid pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil, and boil exactly 1/2 minute. Remove from heat, and skim off foam.
   
2. Ladle into hot, sterilized jars to within about 1/4 inch of the top. Seal, and process in a boiling water canner for 5 minutes.
   

Or something as simple as a Middle Eastern style bread, E.V.O (extra virgin olive oil) and lemon juice.

Once the sun begins to set, the daily fast is slowly broken with a simple snack-like bread, cheese or fruit. Now that everyone is not quite so hungry, evening prayers are said, followed by the big evening meal, called Iftar, which often includes a hearty stew or spiced vegetable dish. Once Iftar is over, people will usually meet at the mosque or at each other's houses for visiting and discussion.

Samboussa ( this is my general recipes, but I have several differen filling I like to use and always try to switch the flavour up

1 pound lean ground beef <LI>1/2 carrot, minced <LI>1/2 onion, minced <LI>1 clove garlic, minced <LI>1 teaspoon tomato paste <LI>1 green onion, chopped <LI>1 pinch seasoning salt <LI>1 green chile peppers, diced (optional) <LI>1 (16 ounce) package egg roll wrappers, cut in half into rectangles <LI>1 tablespoon all-purpose flour <LI>1 tablespoon water <LI>2 cups oil

1. 
   <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In a large skillet, brown meat. Remove the meat from the skillet. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In the same skillet used for the meat, saute onion, garlic, carrot and green onion. When the vegetables are tender, add tomato paste and seasoning salt. Stir in browned meat. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In a small bowl combine flour with water until a watery paste is formed. Place a teaspoon full of meat mixture in the front part of one of the strips. Starting from the right front corner, fold over to the left. You've started the triangle shape. Continue back and forth (making a triangular shape) until there is no more wrapper. Seal the wrappers closed with the flour and water mixture. Continue this process until all of the ingredients are used.
   
2. Using oil to taste, fry the triangular packages until crisp.
   

Arabic Cookies

• 1 cup butter
  
• 1 cup shortening
  
• 1 cup shredded coconut
  
• 4 cups rolled oats
  
• 2 cups white sugar
  
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 2 teaspoons bakig powder
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup boiling water
  

1. 
   <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Set aside boiled water and cool until lukewarm. Mix butter, shortening, coconut, oats, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt with fingers until dough reaches the consistency of pie crust. Add lukewarm water and work into dough. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Make dough into one inch balls. Flatten with a fork or fancy bottomed glass for imprint.
   
2. Place on greased cookie sheets and bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
   

Harira Soup

• 1 pound cubed lamb meat
  
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  
• 2 tablespoons margarine
  
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
  
• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 1 red onion, chopped
  
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  
• 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  
• 7 cups water
  
• 3/4 cup green lentils
  
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpea beans, drained
  
• 4 ounces vermicelli pasta
  
• 2 eggs, beaten
  
• 1 lemon, juiced
  

1. 
   <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Place the lamb, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, butter, celery, onion, and cilantro into a large soup pot over a low heat. Stir frequently for 5 minutes. Pour tomatoes (reserve juice) into the mixture and let simmer for 15 minutes. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Pour tomato juice, 7 cups water, and the lentils into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Let soup simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
   
2. About 10 minutes before serving turn the heat to medium-high, place chickpeas and noodles into the soup, let cook about 10 minutes (until noodles are al dente). Stir in lemon and eggs, let eggs cook 1 minute.
   

Fresh Fig Cake

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 cup white sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
  
• 1 cup evaporated milk
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  
• 1 cup chopped fresh figs
  
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 1/4 cup water
  
• 2 cups chopped fresh figs
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  

1. 
   <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with vegetable oil spray. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">In a large mixing bowl, cream butter with the sugar until fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Add flour mixture alternately with the evaporated milk. Fold in vanilla and almond extracts and chopped figs. <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000">Divide into two prepared 8 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry.
   
2. To make the filling: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups figs, brown sugar, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. Spread thinly between layers of cake and on top.
   

When the new moon arrives to signal the end of Ramadan, there is a colossal celebration called Eid ul-fitr. The feasting and revelry of Eid ul-fitr are unparalleled by any of the other dinners held during Ramadan. Eid ul-fitr is a time when the whole community comes together to rejoice and, of course, eat! Platters of steaming food, music, games and general merriment last until the moon's silvery reflection begins to fade in the sky. It is such a wonderful time...

There actually was a thread a few days ago about Ramadan recipes, you might want to read that... all the ladies posted many great dishes there too...

But in any case whatever you prepare I am sure your hubby will enjoy and appreciate

[amal 4]

Mine is already a bit worried about what he will do for Ramadan... He knows there are no other Muslims around for him to celebrate with and is showing a slight depression about it. He wants to go home for it but we just can't afford it I am going to do my best to make it a good Ramadan for him ... I don't know how well I'll do...Enshallah God will guide us thru it

[Veiled Princess 1]

Ye I see you yoou yoouuu Ninjabi You almost scared like this morning

LMAOOOOOOOOo

ninjabiiii

i didnt mean to freak you out!

ninjabi

Ye we were at a gas station this morning...and she left to pay...I was sitting quietly in the truck ...waiting...and she pops out of nowhere and freaked me out... I thought she was terrorists

A terrorist ninjabi

(O snaaaps I am joking ya Icey J )

[AngelK96 0]

Blessed Ramadan.........we start with dates and water. Mohammed likes rice-y dishes like maglooba and mensaf.

Early in the morning we have toast and cream cheese. I need to eat more at this meal this year, any suggestions?

Jackie

Mine is already a bit worried about what he will do for Ramadan... He knows there are no other Muslims around for him to celebrate with and is showing a slight depression about it. He wants to go home for it but we just can't afford it I am going to do my best to make it a good Ramadan for him ... I don't know how well I'll do...Enshallah God will guide us thru it

Fresh fruit and yogurt. something filling and will help you make through the day.

Myself I am just worried about the meals I should make. I guess they can eat regular american food also, just have a lot of fresh veggies and fruit on hand. Oh well it's going to be a learning process...

Thanks Henia for the recipes

[amal 4]

i guess I just want him to feel as close to home as possible...I'm probably freaking out way more than he is....

[~Jackie~ 30]

Amal one thing that has helped Mohammed during Ramadan is having the azan on the desktop. Hearing the call to prayer at the time to break fast has much meaning to him and it might be nice for Noor too!

Jackie

[amal 4]

I've got that on my old computer, I may have to dl it to my new one....good suggestion, thanks

[dawnnhatem 0]

Hi Everyone

Jackie,

You wouldn't have any links to download that, would you?

[~Jackie~ 30]

Hi Dawn! I was just thinking about you the other night. Mohammed and I took Andrea & Faisal to dinner at our favorite restaurant..........Al Basha! It was short notice. If we had planned better, you and Hatem could have joined us. Let's get together soon, it's been too long.

I will look for a link to the program we use for azan. Hope all is well.

Jackie

[dawnnhatem 0]

Hi Dawn! I was just thinking about you the other night. Mohammed and I took Andrea & Faisal to dinner at our favorite restaurant..........Al Basha! It was short notice. If we had planned better, you and Hatem could have joined us. Let's get together soon, it's been too long.

I will look for a link to the program we use for azan. Hope all is well.

Jackie

How fun! I'd love to next time...H has some strong opinions about restaurant dinners....but I'd look forward to it. I'll check back tonight to see if I can find a download if you dont have it. Thanks

Later

Dawn

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Hi Everyone

Jackie,

You wouldn't have any links to download that, would you?

We have the free version of Athan 3.0

[~Jackie~ 30]

That is the one we use! Thanks Rahma.

Jackie

[tnh9479 1]

Thanks for the link! We had been going to the website to get prayer times every week or so but this will be SOOOO much better!

[dawnnhatem 0]

Hi Everyone

Jackie,

You wouldn't have any links to download that, would you?

We have the free version of Athan 3.0

got it...thanks!!!!