Eid Ul-Fitr is an important religious event observed by Muslims around the world, which denotes the conclusion of the month-long fasting during Ramzan or Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and marks the beginning of the tenth month – Shawwal. It falls on April 22 this year and is also referred to as “Festival Of Breaking The Fast”, with families offering prayers to Allah - the Almighty, for the good health, prosperity of kith and kin. A key feature of Eid is Zakat Ul-Fitr, a charitable donation made by the fortunate individuals to the underprivileged, for the welfare of poor families. Moreover, the joyous occurrence of Eid is also a time to meet relatives and friends, convey warm greetings and exchange gifts.
However, this time around in 2023, owing to the still ongoing partial lockdown restrictions and devastating second wave of coronavirus infections in India, Eid revelries will take place on a smaller scale. With people mostly staying home, consisting of just close family and hosting few very few guests, thereby avoiding large gatherings to prevent the spread of newer strains of COVID-19 yet again. All the time keeping in mind to eat healthy, home-cooked festival dishes packed with essential nutrients of proteins, vitamins, minerals, that are also truly appetising.
Also Read: Eid Ul-Fitr 2020: This Is How You Celebrate Eid And Still Have Lots Of Fun In Lockdown
Following the noble deeds of generosity and chanting hymns invoking the Lord’s blessings, a traditional Iftar meal is prepared encompassing numerous lip-smacking dishes. While meat-based fare with mutton, chicken, lamb, such as biryani, kebab, haleem, korma take centre stage in the sumptuous Eid banquet, a variety of delectable sweets are also made on this religious occasion. And if you’re wondering how to whip up some saccharine delights as part of the Iftar feast, look no further. We bring you two mouth-watering recipes of Sheer Khurma, a rich creamy pudding with vermicelli and dates and Shahi Tukda, a decadent sweet composed of bread, milk and nuts, which will entice the taste buds and uplift overall health.
Tasty Customary Desserts For A Sweet And Healthy Eid Celebration:
Sheer Khurma
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tbsp ghee
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup vermicelli
5 – 7 whole cashews, cut in halves
7 – 9 almonds, finely chopped
9 – 11 seedless dates
¼ cup raisins
3 – 5 cardamom pods, crushed
3 tsp rose water
A few pistachios, sliced
A small bunch of saffron strands
Method:
In a non-stick pan, dry roast the vermicelli on medium heat and set aside.
Heat some ghee in the pan, transfer the cashews, almonds, dates, raisins and roast for 5 minutes on low flame.
Boil milk in a vessel and simmer for about 10 minutes to obtain a thick consistency.
Lower the flame, add the roasted vermicelli along with sugar and cook for 5 – 7 minutes until it softens and the milk becomes dense, decreasing in volume.
Now add the roasted mixture of cashews, almonds, dates, raisins, as well as the cardamom powder and rose water, turn off the stovetop and stir thoroughly.
Garnish the Sheer Khurma with pistachios and saffron strands. Then either savour it warm, or refrigerate for 1 hour and enjoy it chilled.
Nutrition:
Milk abounds in proteins, calcium for strong muscles and bones, while ghee is a great source of healthy unsaturated fats for heart wellness. Cashews supply calories, carbs for instant energy, besides the crucial trace mineral iron to prevent anaemia, excessive fatigue. Imbued with vitamins B1, B2, B3 and dietary fibers, almonds boost metabolism, regulate appetite and promote digestion. Dates are rich in polyphenol antioxidants and the minerals zinc, copper, selenium, to flush out harmful free radicals, toxins from the body and avert chronic conditions of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer.
Also Read: Eating Dates Provides Powerful Health Benefits
Shahi Tukda
Ingredients:
6 – 8 bread slices
3 tbsp ghee
3 cups milk
A few saffron strands
1 tsp elaichi, powdered
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup water
2 tsp kewra water
A fistful of mixed nuts – cashew, almond, pista
Method:
Toast the bread lightly in a pan on low flame and immerse some saffron strands in a bowl of warmed milk.
Boil milk in a pot, then lower the flame and continue to heat until the volume reduces to half the original amount.
Add the soaked saffron strands, elaichi powder and sugar to the boiled milk, warm for 5 minutes, then switch off the stove and allow it to cool.
Prepare a sweet syrup by heating sugar in water, then turn off the stovetop and pour in the kewra water.
Cut the toasted bread into even triangular slices and deep fry them in ghee so they become golden brown and crispy.
Dip the crispy brown bread slices in the sugar syrup so they absorb the sweet flavour, then place them on a wide plate and pour the thickened milk.
Top off the Shahi Tukda with mixed nuts and relish the tempting sweet warm or chilled, as per your preference.
Nutrition:
Bread supplies valuable nutrients of carbs, proteins, fibers while being low on cholesterol, saturated fats, to aid in elevated metabolism, digestion. Laden with healthy fats and vitamin B12, milk improves heart functions and ensures optimal blood circulation, nerve tissue operations. Saffron contains profuse amounts of potassium and vitamin A, for controlling blood pressure and enhancing eyesight. Ample levels of anti-inflammatory and decongestant compounds in elaichi assist in remedying cough, cold and uplift respiratory health.
Kesar Phirni
Ingredients:
1 litre milk
1 cup sugar
50 gm soaked basmati rice
5 drops of Rosewater
5 strands of saffron or Kesar
1/2 tsp powdered green cardamom
10 chopped pistachios
10 chopped almonds
10 chopped cashews
Method:
Boil the milk in simmer mode till it thickens a little
Make a coarse paste of the soaked rice
Add a little milk to the rice mixture to make it a little gooey
Add sugar to the remaining milk and keep boiling with continuous stirring
Now, add the rice paste to the hot milk and stir continuously with a ladle
Next slowly add the rose water, kesar and cardamom powder to the milk
Switch off the flame and let it cool naturally for 15 minutes
Pour the milk mixture into small matkis, and refrigerator for about 3 - 4 hours
Serve chilled phirni after garnishing it with almonds, cashews and pistachios
Nutrition:
This extremely tasty Desi rice pudding is a hit with the guests when it comes to the Iftar meal. Replete with proteins, calcium and vitamin D, milk is highly beneficial for fortifying bone health. Cashews provide instant energy, besides uplifting heart health. Imbued with essential vitamins and dietary fibres, almonds and pistachios regulate appetite keeping you satiated for a long time and bolstering overall metabolism.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Very Happy Eid Ul-Fitr! :)
