Muslims worldwide are rejoicing at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a long period of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. It’s finally Eid Mubarak, a time to celebrate with loved ones, gifts, and most importantly, mouth-watering food.
But cooking for Eid Mubarak can be a challenge. With all the festivities and celebrations, you might be hard-pressed to find the time to prepare elaborate meals. For those of you who came out of Ramadan still tired after fasting a whole month, you might not have the energy either.
However, that’s exactly why you and your loved ones deserve a feast, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can whip up delicious and healthy dishes from all over the world that your family and friends will love over the long holiday and festivities. Here are 5 easy Eid Mubarak recipes you can try in the kitchen:
- Chicken Biryani
A classic South Asian dish that is a staple of Eid Mubarak celebrations, with several variations across different countries. It is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish made with chicken, vegetables, and a colorful variety of spices. Here’s what you’ll generally need:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, or Indian curd.
- 2 cups of basmati rice
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste
- 3 tablespoons of garam masala
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of caraway seeds
- 4 green cardamom
- 4 cups of water
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
You’d first want to prepare your chicken, frying your onions first with ginger garlic paste until brown before adding your chicken thighs in. Throw in your garam masala, then continue with tomatoes, plain yogurt, coriander powder and mix everything well. Cover and cook, aiming for a thick gravy. Cook your rice separately, adding cardamom and caraway seed to the water for added flavor. Finally, bring it all together by placing your chicken in between 2 even layers of your rice. Cover and cook a bit longer, let it rest, then mix everything evenly before you serve.
- Grilled Lamb Chops
Muslim tradition finds families arranging for a lamb sacrifice, Qurban, dividing the meat between friends and family, and those in need. With lamb being a staple ingredient for any Eid feast, this is a must-have dish.
Ingredients:
- 8 lamb chops
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Don’t forget to preheat the grill to medium-high heat before anything else. Season your lamb chops generously before placing them on the grill and browned beautifully to your liking, served to your hungry guests.
- Vegan Stuffed Grape Leaves
If you’re also entertaining vegan guests, this healthy dish is sure to leave them salivating when it graces your dining table. Cute and bite-sized, you can call in the family to roll them up with you as a fun ritual while saving you some time.
Ingredients:
- 1 jar of grape leaves (roughly 60-70 leaves)
- 1 1/2 cups of white rice
- 1/4 cup of fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of allspice
You don’t have to follow the recipe to a tee, so if you prefer other ingredients in favor of taste or health benefits, such as using brown rice, don’t hold yourself back! After soaking the grape leaves in warm water, combine the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Lay a grape leaf flat and add a tablespoon of the filling at the stem end. Roll up the leaf and place it in a pot or deep skillet with water. Simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the filling is cooked. Serve hot or cold.
- Chickpea Salad
This salad is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients, making it a refreshing addition to our very juicy, gravy-heavy menu. Feel free to create your own variation, but here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
All you have to do is combine drained and rinsed chickpeas with finely chopped red onion, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, fresh parsley, and fresh mint. In a separate bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture, toss to combine, and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
- Fruit Custard
You can’t have a proper meal without dessert! End your Eid feasts on a sweet note with a creamy, fruity dessert that’s quick and easy to make. The ingredients are easy too, and you can swap them out to your liking or needs, like the type of milk you want to use.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of milk
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of custard powder
- 1 cup of mixed fruits (such as chopped strawberries, kiwi, mango, and pineapple)
- 1 cup of whipped cream
Heat the milk and sugar in a pan until it comes to a boil. Mix the custard powder with a little bit of water and add it to the milk, whisking constantly until it thickens. Let it cool to room temperature. Add the mixed fruits and whipped cream, and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Explore Eid’s Culinary Traditions
During Eid, some dishes you wouldn’t often see any other time of the year, and cooked with such flair and joy. This list of recipes doesn’t do the whole culinary variety of Eid Mubarak justice. Today, you can even find recipes tweaked and perfected for people with specific tastes and needs, such as allergies and dietary commitments. Maybe your family cooks some dishes a certain way!
But if you’re looking to experiment with new foods, then it wouldn’t hurt at all to check out what your DNA has to say about it. Try out a CircleDNA test and discover your nutrigenetics, finding in-depth reports on your dietary sensitivities and other insights that can help you further in the kitchen! In fact, doing so can help you optimize the recipes above to your specific needs.
