For me, iftar is a time to bring community togetherregardless of their religious background.
During this month, as an act of self-restraint, Muslims fastmeaning no food or waterfrom sunrise to sunset.
I was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and have multi-ethnic heritagePakistani, Afghan and Persian.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe and Alison Bickel
I started observing Ramadan when we lived in Nairobi, Kenya; I was 16-years-old.
My father believed that iftar meals should be simple, to reflect the spirit of self-restraint in Ramadan.
Having led an itinerant life, food has always been a way for me to connect with others.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
My favorite was my mothers cardamom-scented rice pudding, adorned with edible silver leaf and crushed pistachios.
Everyone was welcome to eat wherever they liked.
As an adult, I visit my parents in Washington, DC, during Ramadan.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
But because of the pandemic, I have been unable to do that for the past two years.
We normally gather at my mothers best friends home for iftar.
As soon as everyone has broken their fast with dates and water, they disperse to say their prayers.
Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
It is a time to be with loved ones, something I have missed very much during the pandemic.
The iftar table is all about sharing plates.
In these three recipes, you will find something fried, something sweet, and something salty.
The first dish is a pakora.
In my pakora recipe, you add raw, delicate asparagus stalks to the batter.
These are dishes that bring people together.
I hope you will make these dishesand share themin the spirit of Ramadan.
Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
