Delicious Iftar Indian Recipes for Ramadan 2023

Ramadan is a month when Muslims fast from dawn till dusk and spend time in spiritual reflection. Ramadan is also a time to celebrate as Muslims get together with their family and friends for Iftar (meal to break fast) in the evening.

However, every day is a challenge because it is hard to decide what to prepare for Iftar. Here, are some Indian recipes that you have to try out for Ramadan 2023:

Samosa

Samosa is a popular snack in South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Central Africa that people prefer to have with afternoon tea or during various celebrations such as Ramadan. Samosa is a deep-fried pastry that is triangular-shaped, and generally contains a filling of cooked potatoes and peas. Samosas are also made with minced meat or chicken filling. The origins of the samosa can be traced back to the literature of Persian historian Abul-Fazl Beyhaqi in the 11^th century.

Firni

Firni is a sweet dish popular in India and Pakistan, which is the perfect dessert for Iftar. It is made of milk, rice or rice powder, sugar, and cardamom. Firni originates from Persia and the Middle East and it has various versions including kheer or payasam in India, muhallabia in Egypt and Turkey, and fereni in Iran.

Sheer Khurma

Sheer Khurma is a sweet dish made of vermicelli, dates, milk, and nuts. It is popular in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Sheer Khurma has Persian origins. 

Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki are potato patties, which are also popular snacks in the Asian subcontinent. The patties use boiled potatoes that are mashed and mixed with spices, herbs, and cornstarch.

Chana Chaat

Chana chaat is the perfect savoury snack for Iftaar. It is made of chickpeas, potatoes, onions, tamarind paste, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and chaat masala. The snack originated in the northern parts of India, and it is also popular in Pakistan.

Pakora

Pakoras are fritters made of gram flour batter that is mixed with vegetables like onions, potatoes, a green chilli. They are popular in the Asian subcontinent and are originally from India.

Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada is deep-fried fritters mixed with yoghurt. Dahi Vada originated from the state of Karnataka, India. 

Shami Kebab

Shami kebabs are fried patties made of beef and yellow split peas. They are popular in the Asian subcontinent and the recipe originates from Lucknow in India during the Mughal reign.

Seekh Kabab

Seekh kababs are made from ground lamb that is mixed with various spices and grilled on skewers. They are popular in South Asia and the Middle East. The kababs are said to have originated from the Turks because Turkish soldiers used to skewer minced or whole meat on their swords and roast it over fire whenever they wen hunting. 

Biryani

Biryani is flavoured rice, which includes basmati rice cooked with a curry of meat or chicken. Although the rice dish is popular in the Asian subcontinent and the Middle East, it actually originated in Iran.