These easy stay-at-home recipes are perfect for Ramadan
If you’re a foodie like us who love celebrating any festival where beautiful dishes are a necessary protagonist, then you’re probably pretty bummed that Ramadan bazaars are not commonly seen in Australia.
But, it's slowly getting there.
We totally understand that disappointment, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out completely on the festivities. We can always make do with what we have. It ain’t the same as being there yourself, but if you are craving for certain bazaar food, then resorting to your own culinary skills in your kitchen is an option.
Here are some easy Ramadan recipes you can cook when you buka puasa with South East Asian cuisines for Singaporeans, Indonesians, Bruneians, Malaysians and perhaps Thai. There will be other cuisines observed by our Lebanese, Pakistani friends, maybe in future blogs. And don’t worry, you won’t need to possess 5-star culinary skills or state-of-the-art kitchen facilities.
The most important ingredient in all this is a craving that needs fixing.
Food is part of Ramadan tradition; family and friends gather to share and enjoy the two meals that are served: Iftar celebrated at sunset when Muslims break their fast, and Suhoor consumed early in the morning before the day starts. Fasting has an important role in teaching patience, compassion and gratitude. It also reminds people about those suffering from poverty and hunger. A traditional Iftar includes a variety of dishes. But whether an Iftar is simple or grand, sharing food with the needy during this holy month is an important aspect of the feast and Muslims are encouraged to help the poor. Here are some suggested dishes for Iftar.
Ayam Percik
Ayam Percik originates from the Northern state of Kelantan, Malaysia. This flavourful chicken dish is the result of a beautiful marinade of different spices and basting with a rich coconut gravy prior to grilling. The roasted chicken is marinated in spices like turmeric, cumin and coriander along with lemongrass, coconut milk and tamarind - all of which come in an easy 50 grams pack of My Blue Tea´s Rendang base powder.
Keep an eye out on this space - we will be publishing a full recipe for Ayam Percik soon!
We have so many yummy recipes by our Chefs, passionate cooks, brand ambassadors and ourselves, and as much as we´d like to publish everything we´ve got, we thought it best to spread out the good stuff so our stomachs do not go into overdrive!
Chicken Curry Samosas
A samosa (/səˈmoʊsə/) is a fried or baked pastry with a savoury filling of spiced potatoes, onions, peas. It comes in different shapes e.g. triangular, cone, or half-moon shapes, depending on the region.
Samosas are often accompanied by chutney, and have their origins in medieval times or earlier. Samosas are a popular entrée, appetizer or snack in the local cuisines of South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, East Africa and other regions. Due to emigration and the cultural diffusion from these areas, samosas today are often prepared and can be found in other parts of the world. Our Chicken Curry Samosas are made using My Blue Tea´s Meat Curry base powder - follow the simple instructions printed on the pack, add peas, potatoes, onions or ingredients of your choice, and you have yourself some irresistible snacks that´ll have you going back for more!
Rendang
Here's a delicious Rendang Kangaroo by Amazing Grace!
Remember, we're here in AU and while we want to use what's local, looking at the hike in prices (e.g. veggies have gone up by 75%!), we may sometimes have to make some adjustments to our ingredients. The Amazing Grace Lim is clever to tweak the dish paying attention to the cost and availability and this is what she has come up with - an Australian rendang made with My Blue Tea´s rendang powder!
Ayam Goreng Berempah / Spice Fried Chicken
We know this sounds like Nasi Goreng or Fried Rice! Just imagine replacing rice with chicken!
This short video of Ayam Goreng Berempah is by Vyen Food Madness, brand ambassador in Melbourne. She really misses Malaysian food!
If time is a constraint for you, what with going back to work and having to commute, then you really need to save time wherever you can. When it comes to the meal prep for this dish, all you need to do is to rip open a pack of My Blue Tea´s Ayam Goreng Berempah powder, marinade it into 1Kg meat of your choice and air fry it! Yes, it really is that straightforward!
What we like most about My Blue Tea´s Spice Pantry is you can travel with these little packets of 50 grams powder, stash it in your handbag and you can make your familiar favourite dishes with you anywhere you go!
We will be publishing the microwave version of the recipe soon (hopefully with a video thrown in as well!) and all it takes for this is just 28 mins!
And the best part of this dish is not just the chicken...it´s actually the irresistible crumbly bits!
Ayam Goreng Crumbly bits
This is optional but it´s good to have if you have the time to do it.
To get these "crumbly bits" and crisps that are such a delight to have with just steamed white rice, you can add these into your marinade using 1 kg drumsticks:
*1 shallot
*8 cloves garlic
*1 knob ginger
*1 knob galangal
*4 lemongrass (chopped)
Method:
(1) Blend all the above ingredients.
(2) Add them into chicken with Ayam Goreng Berempah Powder in a ziplock bag.
(3) Marinade for 3 hours maximum overnight.
(4) Roll over cornstarch flour.
(5) Air fry at 180 C for 30 mins. Serve & enjoy!
With or without the crumbly bits, this beautiful Ayam Goreng Berempah rub/marinade is good on its own.
Ayam Masak Merah (or your choice of Meat or Seafood)
Tip: If you are having curries, you must have some carbs such as Roti Jala or Nasi (rice) to go with them. There are so many beautiful options to choose from such as Nasi Lemak or just beautiful coloured rice.
One of the most viewed recipes is Ayam Masak Merah (Asian Chicken Cacciatore) and all the more reason to cook it especially for the holy month of Ramadan.
Roti Jala
Roti Jala (also known as Roti Kirai or Roti Renjis, literally meaning "Net Bread" or "lace pancake" in English), is a popular Malay tea time snack served with curry dishes. It is commonly seen in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Roti Jala is a pretty dish that looks like a lace doily due to the way it is made. This is a very traditional Malay dish that is usually homemade and served at events such as weddings and festivals. It is eaten in sets of three to four pieces with chicken curry, as a substitute to rice.
It is no secret that the name is representative of how it looks. Unlike pancakes which are thick, roti jala on the other hand is much thinner, like crepes. It is a popular dish during Ramadan and Eid/Hari Raya.
This is a recipe we have shared before, and this is as good a time as any to enjoy it again! Here's Roti Jala by Chef Sugu.
Nasi Lemak / Colourful rice
Nasi Lemak and Blue Butterfly Nasi accompany all the delicious dishes above or you may like a roti or two. Enjoy!
Dessert and Buka Puasa
Muslims break their fast by eating 1 or 3 dates as was the practice of Prophet Mohammed who broke his fast with three dates and water. From a nutritional point of view, dates are an excellent source of fibre, natural sugar, iron and magnesium. They help restore blood sugar after long hours of fasting.
And why not complement your dates with a delicious Blue Bandung or Pandan Bandung?
From left Kueh Jongkong or Kueh Pelita by Chef Sabrina (recipe coming soon), Ondeh-ondeh & Pandan Bandung and dates to break fast (by Malaysia's MasterChef Judge Chef Johari); Blue Bandung was created by Chef Celina Joseph (zero-waste Chef in Malaysia), Blue Bandung using rockmelon and lastly Pandan Ondeh Ondeh (photo of Pandan Ondeh Ondeh tarts & recipe contributed by Catherine Ang Melbourne for CNY).
Pandan Ondeh Ondeh seems to be trending and has evolved in every shape and food imaginable! The list is endless e.g. Pandan Ondeh Ondeh Cake, Pandan Ondeh Ondeh Tart, Pandan Ondeh Ondeh cupcakes, Pandan Ondeh Ondeh ice cream!
Since everyone´s going wild for Pandan Ondeh Ondeh, here's a Pandan Ondeh ondeh tart recipe you really have to try!
Lastly, have a blessed Ramadan and may everyone be blessed with kindness, patience and love. Eid Mubarak from all of us @my.blue.tea.
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