Ramadaan FACT SHEET Whether you’re celebrating Ramadaan or not, there are many delicious food traditions to learn about
WHEN IS RAMADAAN?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
For the month, fasters cannot eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. This is a way of cleansing themselves, taking away the comforts of the daily routine and focusing the mind on prayer and spirituality.
Dates are eaten in the evening to break the fast
EID UL-FITR
Eid ul-Fitr, the ‘feast of fast-breaking’, is the celebration to mark the end of Ramadaan. It begins as soon as the new moon is seen. In many communities, Eid is quite elaborate: people wear new clothes, children are given gifts of money, special pastries are baked, the graves of relatives are visited, and people gather for family meals and to pray in mosques.
Ramadaan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the holiest month of the year. The holy month changes dates each year, as the Islamic calendar follows the movements of the moon and is around 11 days shorter than the standard Gregorian calendar. This means that the first day of Ramadaan moves backwards by around 11 days each year. The month starts and ends with the appearance of the new moon.
W H O FA S T S ?
Not eating or drinking all day can be pretty challenging, so there are certain groups of people who do not need to fast: the elderly, pregnant women, mentally or physically ill people, and women who are breastfeeding. If someone falls ill during Ramadaan, or if a woman is on her menstrual cycle, they can stop fasting and make up those days after Ramadaan. Volunteering or feeding the poor can be substituted for fasting, if necessary. What about kids? Children are not obligated to fast until they hit puberty. Before this, families may get their children used to the concept by starting with halfday or weekend fasting, or by abstaining from eating certain types of food.
Dates are high in sugar, which helps to restore blood-sugar levels
POWER OF THE MOON
The start of Ramadaan is often up in the air (literally) until the last minute – it all depends on a sighting of the new moon. In many places (including SA), people still wait for someone to see the new moon with the naked eye. As a result, the dates differ by a day or two around the world. Some countries now use observatories and astronomical calculations, leading to a standardised starting time.
food for thought S AY WHAT ? 1. SUHOOR
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The pre-dawn meal. This should be a wholesome meal that provides long-lasting energy throughout the day.
Iftar
The post-dusk meal. It is customary to break the fast with dates and water, just as the Prophet Muhammad is said to have done.
4 3. HALAAL
Permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law; frequently applied to food and drink .
FA S T I N G AND THE BODY Ironically, many people actually gain weight during Ramadaan, as they are more sedentary during the daytime, eat richer food than normal in the evening, and get the majority of their daily calories at night. There are healthier ways to approach the fast:
SUHOOR
This meal has to provide long-lasting energy to see you through the day, so it should comprise complex carbohydrates (wholewheat, oats, beans, rice) and high-fibre foods. Fluids are crucial, to maintain the water and salt levels in the body – however, caffeine should be avoided in the morning, as it is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration.
Complex carbs, such as oats, are great for the morning
Salaah
Prayer; an act of worship that forms one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
5. SAWM
Fasting; abstaining from all the things that are forbidden during fasting. Another Pillar of Islam.
I F TA R
Try to make the evening meal as nutritious as possible, and avoid anything overly oily and heavy, no matter how yummy it is.
POPPIN’ BOTTL ES
To add some glitz, glamour and bubbles on Eid, place bottles of Zari on the tables. Made from 100% pure Cape Muscat seedless grapes, Zari is a zero-alcohol sparkling grape juice that not only tastes great, but comes in gold or silver designer bottles, made to proudly show off this product of the Cape. zari.co.za
Chicken is a great lean meat to have at night
• Start with hydrating foods (water and soup) to prepare the stomach for food. • Keep it simple and light. Divide your plate like this: ½ non-starchy veg, ¼ starchy foods (rice, potato, pasta or bread), ¼ lean protein (red meat, chicken, eggs or fish). • Try not to feast. You need a satisfying, light meal to replenish energy stores, not a rich feast that will only overstimulate the digestive system and make you feel sluggish and tired. • Go for oven-baking, steaming and grilling over frying. • Limit sweets and fried savouries to one serving per person.
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food for thought
F EEL ING SPICY? Spice Mecca has risen from humble beginnings to being one of the most prominent spice providers in SA. We asked for their top spice tips
WHEN IT COMES TO SPICES A N D S P I C Y F O O D S , W H AT A R E YO U R FAVO U R IT E S ?
Masalas, curries, breyanis… These are all favourites! Depending on the mood, any of these authentic formulations will take you on an amazing taste experience.
W H AT ’ S T H E B E S T WAY TO STORE SPICES?
Manufacturers use packaging with good barrier properties to keep in the aromas, essential oils and freshness. Once the manufacturer’s packaging has been opened, it’s a good idea for
In the mood for chilli-bites? Turn to p31.
cooks to place spices in clearly marked, airtight containers.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A SPICE IS OLD?
You can determine the freshness of your spices either by smelling them or tasting the food that has been prepared with them. Spices sourced from a bona fide supplier should produce attractive aromas and tastes, and won’t be dull in flavour.
A N Y S E C R E T FA M I LY S P I C E MIXES YOU CAN SHARE?
Our spice blends make our family recipes available to everyone, so that we can empower cooks in homes, restaurants and hotels. But, of course, there is a secret science to formulating the blends – this has made us a top spice brand in SA.
H OW I M P O R TA N T A R E S P I C E S I N C A P E M A L AY C U LT U R E ?
Spices are the anchor of many food-driven cultures – and the Cape Malay culture is no
From left: Shreef Abass (chief brand ambassador), Nur Abass (director of international trade), Moutie Siers (head of sales and marketing)
different. However, the impact that Cape Malay cuisine has made on South African cuisine is phenomenal, in that breyani, bobotie, chilli-bites, koeksisters and boeber are often prevalent on all of our dinner tables.
SPICE MECCA
RAMADAAN FESTIVAL
Ramadaan For All Exhibition 4–6 May The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town The exhibition will host 150 vendors over three days, offering varied services and merchandise. Community organisations and educational institutions will be represented, along with arts and crafts, clothing, foodstuffs, and much more. The event will also include an art exhibition, educational workshops and the honouring of community activists and sportsmen. Spice Mecca is hosting the event and will occupy the main pavilion, where the team will show off their magnificent merchandise, which you can buy in preparation for all your Ramadaan cooking. ITV will broadcast 25 hours of live television coverage, while the radio coverage will be anchored by Voice of the Cape and Smile 90.4 FM. MYKITCHEN.CO.ZA
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food for thought
13 MAY: MOTHER’S DAY ASK FOR HER TO-DO LIST
TAKE A COOKING CLASS TOGETHER
What would we do without Mom? This Mother’s Day, besides cooking up the amazing Mzansi-inspired feast on page 49, here are some other ways to show your appreciation…
If she’s a foodie, take a baking or cooking class together. There’s nothing like learning a new skill, and eating the fruits of your labour to bring you closer.
MAKE HER A PHOTO ALBUM
Cross off a big item on the list. Who wouldn’t want someone to swoop in and do that nasty task or errand they’ve been dodging?
Print out some of Mom’s fave pictures and make up an album. Or get some of her favourite VHS tapes converted to DVDs.
HAVE A MOVIE MARATHON
TRY A NEW RESTAURANT
Rent a stack of classics, make the popcorn and hot chocolate, grab some blankets and get comfy on the couch for a girls’ night in.
Take your mom to the latest spot she’s been dying to visit, but hasn’t had a chance to get to yet. Bonus marks if it’s fancy!
App
OF THE MONTH
In
season 12
MYKITCHEN.CO.ZA
VEGGIES Baby marrows, brinjals, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, cauliflower, green beans, leeks, mielies, peas, spinach, tomatoes
FRUIT Apples, avocados, bananas, figs, gooseberries, grapes, guavas, lemons, mangoes, oranges, pawpaws, peaches, pears, plums, pomegranates
TEXT: CLAIRE DAVIES; PHOTOGRAPHY: HMimages.co.za, GALLO/GETTYIMAGES/THINKSTOCK; ILLUSTRATION: CHLOÉ DAMSTRA
RESTAURANT DASH
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