a flashback in time.............children carrying in their little hands platefuls of the most delicious morsels of food , lovingly made by their mums , aunts or grannys ... to neighbours and families homes ..................
......plates being exchanged in a spirit of harmony and love.........................
..................scurrying back home , in anticipation , knowing that anytime .......................
Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar
Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest
..................the melodious sound of the Muezzins voice , echoing from the top of the minaret , calling the Faithful to Prayer . to Maghrib Salaat , essentially........................signifying the end of A day of Fasting..............
..........................yes,Muslims the world over are now two weeks into the incredible holy month of RAMADAAN..................For Muslims , Ramadaan is a time for reflection - and introspection .... a time to develop compassion for those who live with thirst and hunger ... as a part of their everyday existence
it is a time to practice self control and willpower in the face of numerous temptations , and to purify ones self by taking time to focus on character and purpose...
during THIS Auspicious month......... Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. The fast is not for a full twenty four hours - sehri , a meal eaten before the sun begins to rise and iftar , the meal that breaks the fast at sunset.
AUGUST ... 2011............Ramadaan .........Johannesburg.............South Africa
Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar : Allahu Akbar
Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest : Allah is the greatest
thirty years later , the azaan , echoes beautifully around and within the confines of my home............ certain changes , certain similarities...............
the way of the world ............. .. , from my perspective anyway ,, i don't live in Muslim suburbia anymore........... residensia is made up of different races , colours and creeds.........with none taking precedence over the other...........we live together with mutual understanding and respect for the other
we teach our children' Islam through emulation and guidance , spirituality is in essence , an emotion felt deep in ones heart .........so the fasting month of Ramadaan is welcomed like an old loved friend.. welcomed into the home with open arms by young and old alike .......... eager to bask in the glow of this radiant time ...........
...............the muezzins voice is wafting through the home , broadcast live on audio streaming............
it is a haunting moment indeed , when the azaan begins..............it feels as if the soul pricks all over........it is an innate remembrance of this beautiful religion that we are so privileged to have been born into.....................it is who we are....................
a special duaa,,,,, prayer is read to thank Allah for allowing us to fast for his pleasure...
this is a time of happiness and refreshment after experiencing the pangs of hunger and thirst of the day.................
..................and my home , I'm sure is no different from any other Muslim home , breaking the days fast
EXCITED!..............yes keedos break their fasts with a " kajoor '' , a date and a glass of water .............
if the truth be told , mum , breaks with a glass of ice cold coke...............
the family gather around the dinner table to partake in a meal that mum has especially put together to please keedos and A............the menu varies on a daily basis.............but , it is always a feast.........the senses of taste are definitely heightened during the fast and the food is somehow just so delicious!
the Maghrib salaat prayer is performed and the family return back to the dinner table to eat , and to rejoice in the satiating peaceful feeling that has settled over them...........................
my Ramadaan menu consists of predominantly very authentic , hand down through the generation recipes ..............with a few modern fusion creations ............thrown in...............both are devoured with equal gusto...
a savoury dish that is very popular on all Ramadaan tables , would be little cocktail pies , made with pure butter puff pastry ......filled with just about anything .............i do a divine masala steak filling and this is served with a chutney ........... a dip .......... that is a recipe of my dear mom,, who inherited it from a friend ....................
............................cheeky chutney
you will need :
4 tins tomato puree
white vinegar
salt
chili powder
the 4 tins yields me an adequate amount to last the entire month
....empty the 4 tins of tomato puree into a large pot
....half fill each of the 4 tins with white vinegar
....throw the vinegar into the pot together with the tomato puree
....add 4 tsp each of salt and chili powder
simmer for an hour on a low heat
the mixture will thicken slightly , darken a slight bit in colour
in a separate small pot or heavy based frying pan , one would make a vagaar , a tempering of spices
this process takes just a few short minutes
simply heat a few tbsp of oil
add mustard seeds , crushed garlic , ground green chillies , few sprigs of curry leaves
heat until they sizzle
remove from heat
tipple the vagaar over into your tomato puree and vinegar mixture
let cool
lastly add a few generous tablespoon's of achaar - pickle methi masala ... which you can buy at any Indian spice shop
stir through
you can now bottle it and keep it in the refrigerator
....... this chutney is a real gem of a recipe , don't be put off by what would seem to be a very lengthy process ... once you have the ingredients on hand .............. relatively simple ,,
and delicious!......................................................
.................Naadia's cocktail steak pies...........................
braise 2 finely chopped onions , for every kg of steak used , until golden brown
add washed cubed steak pieces
add salt , chili powder , dhana jeeroo , turmeric and ginger garlic
grind in green chillies
braise on a medium heat until spices and meat are well amalgamated
now lower heat and close pot lid
simmer on this lowered heat for an hour , stirring every now and again
add a sachet of tomato paste for every kg of steak used
simmer for a half an hour more
steak should be tender and well coated in a thick masala
taste for salt and strength of the spices
let it cool
add few tablespoons of mustard sauce
garnish liberally with cut up dhania - coriander
mix nicely
the filling for the cocktail pies is now ready
my kitchen cheat :
for ease of use , i buy pre - cut pure butter puff pastry
this saves me a copious amount of time
if not readily available , roll out your puff pastry , which you could purchase from any good grocer
and cut into circles , or squares
place a piece of the cut pastry , in to the palm of your hand
moisten the edge all round , with a smear of water , so that the edges can be sealed tight
place a generous tsp of the steak filling into the centre of the cut pastry
fold over carefully , taking care that the steak doesn't seep out
pinch the edges of the pie with your finger or a fork , to seal
using a pastry brush , brush the tops of the pies with a mixture of beaten egg , sprinkle with either sesame seeds or dried chopped parsley
you could now freeze the pies successfully , in a plastic container and use as needed
or if , your taste buds are salivating .................................................
preheat the oven , on bake ............... place pies onto a non stick baking tray
bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes , and 180 degrees Celsius for the next 10 minutes
the pies should rise beautifully and turn a rich golden hue.....................
..................take out of the oven carefully and let cool slightly..................
Allahumma laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa - alaika tawakaltu wa 'ala rizq - ika aftartu fataqabal minni
O Allah! For You i have observed fasting and with your provisions do i break my fasting
..................dip the pie into the chutney...........and ENJOY!...................
