8 Popular South Asian and Middle Eastern Traditional Ramadan Recipes to Try at Home in Indonesia!

Kapanlagi.com - Ramadan is synonymous with delicious dishes that tantalize the taste buds, especially during iftar. Traditional Ramadan foods from South Asia and the Middle East are favorites due to their rich spices and tempting textures. It's no wonder many of these dishes are popular in Indonesia.

From fragrant biryani rice to crispy samosas, various traditional Ramadan recipes can be made at home, KLovers. With easily found ingredients and practical cooking methods, these dishes will make your iftar moments even more special and warm.

So, what are these foods? Here is a list of popular traditional Ramadan foods from South Asia and the Middle East in Indonesia. Let's check it out!

1. Samosa

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Samosa is a traditional South Asian food shaped like a triangle with a filling of spiced potatoes and minced meat. Samosas have a crispy skin with a savory filling rich in spices. Typically, this dish is served with sauce or chutney as a complement when breaking the fast. Here is how to make this traditional Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 10 sheets of spring roll wrappers

- 2 potatoes, boiled and mashed

- 100 grams of minced meat

- 1 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp pepper

- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

- 1/2 tsp curry powder

- 1 stalk of green onion, chopped

- Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Sauté the minced meat with salt, pepper, turmeric, and curry powder.

2. Add the potatoes and green onions, mix well.

3. Take a sheet of spring roll wrapper, fill it with the potato mixture, and fold it into a triangle.

4. Seal the edges with a little water.

5. Fry until golden brown, drain, and serve.

2. Biryani

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Biryani is a spiced rice dish typical of India and Pakistan, cooked with various spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. This dish is usually served with chicken or goat meat, along with accompaniments like pickles and yogurt to enhance the flavor. Here is how to make this special Ramadan dish in the South Asian and Middle Eastern style:

Ingredients:

- 2 cups basmati rice

- 300 grams of chicken or goat meat

- 2 tablespoons ghee

- 1 stick of cinnamon

- 3 cardamom pods

- 3 cloves

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 500 ml water

Instructions:

1. Wash the basmati rice and soak it for 30 minutes, then drain.

2. Sauté the cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves in ghee.

3. Add the meat, salt, and turmeric, and stir until fragrant.

4. Add water and let it boil.

5. Add the rice, cook until the water reduces, then steam until cooked.

3. Pide

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Pide is a traditional Turkish flatbread often referred to as "Turkish pizza." This bread has a soft texture with fillings of cheese, minced meat, or vegetables. It is oval-shaped and baked until the surface is crispy, making it perfect for breaking the fast. Here is how to make this special Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 250 grams of all-purpose flour

- 1 tsp instant yeast

- 150 ml warm water

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 100 grams minced meat (optional)

- 50 grams mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, yeast, salt, and water until smooth, then let it rest for 1 hour.

2. Roll the dough into an oval shape.

3. Add the minced meat and cheese filling on top.

4. Fold the edges of the dough slightly inward.

5. Bake in a 180°C oven for 20 minutes.

4. Roti Canai

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Roti Canai is a traditional South Indian bread that has developed in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Its texture is layered and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. This bread is usually served with chicken curry or dhal as a companion to enhance its deliciousness. Here is how to make this special Ramadan dish in South Asian and Middle Eastern style:

Ingredients:

- 250 grams of all-purpose flour

- 1 tsp salt

- 150 ml warm water

- 2 tbsp cooking oil

- 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, salt, and water until the dough is smooth.

2. Let it rest for 30 minutes, then divide it into several portions.

3. Flatten the dough, spread with butter, and then fold it.

4. Let it rest again for 30 minutes, then flatten it again.

5. Grill on a non-stick pan until golden brown.

5. Qatayef

Qatayef is a traditional Middle Eastern pancake that is usually filled with nuts or cheese, then fried or baked. It has a sweet taste and is often served as a snack to break the fast with a drizzle of honey syrup or sugar. Here is how to make this special Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 200 grams of all-purpose flour

- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

- 200 ml of liquid milk

- 50 grams of chopped nuts

- 50 grams of grated cheese

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk until it becomes a batter.

2. Cook on a non-stick pan like making small pancakes.

3. Fill with nuts or cheese, then fold into a half circle.

4. Fry until golden brown or bake according to taste.

6. Kebab

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Kebab is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made from grilled meat wrapped in tortilla bread. This dish has become increasingly popular in Indonesia with various filling variations, ranging from chicken, beef, to fresh vegetables and mayonnaise sauce. Here is how to make this special Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 200 grams of minced beef

- 1 teaspoon of salt

- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika powder

- 4 sheets of tortilla bread

- Fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomato, onion)

- Mayonnaise or chili sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix the minced meat with salt, pepper, and paprika, then grill until cooked.

2. Heat the tortilla bread on a non-stick pan.

3. Place the meat, vegetables, and sauce on top of the tortilla.

4. Roll tightly and grill briefly before serving.

7. Mariam Bread

Illustration (credit: pexels.com)

Mariam Bread is similar to roti canai, but thicker and has a denser texture. This bread can be enjoyed with curry or topped with sweet toppings like sugar and honey, making it a versatile dish for breaking the fast. Here’s how to make this traditional Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 250 grams of all-purpose flour

- 1 egg

- 1 tablespoon of butter

- 100 ml of liquid milk

- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients until smooth, then let it rest for 1 hour.

2. Roll out the dough, roll it up, and shape it into a circle.

3. Flatten it again, then bake until golden brown.

8. Egyptian Martabak

Illustration (credit: freepik.com)

Egyptian Martabak is a stuffed pancake filled with minced meat and eggs, seasoned with typical Middle Eastern spices. It has a savory taste and is often served with pickles and curry sauce to enhance its flavor. Here’s how to make this traditional Ramadan dish from South Asia and the Middle East:

Ingredients:

- 250 grams of all-purpose flour

- 200 grams of minced meat

- 2 eggs

- 1 stalk of green onion, chopped

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour with water until the dough is elastic.

2. Sauté the minced meat, then mix with the eggs and green onions.

3. Fill the dough with the filling, then fry until cooked.

That’s a list of popular traditional Ramadan foods from South Asia and the Middle East in Indonesia. There are many other recipes that you can discover by reading articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when?

(kpl/dhm)