Ramadan explained in brief
On April 13, Ramadan begins. A centuries-old tradition, you are among others not allowed to eat, drink and listen to music between sunrise and sunset. During the day, Muslims fast, which is not always easy in the warm UAE. Fasting resets the body, mind and spirit. Ramadan is the month of gratitude. By fasting you become aware of the fact that not everyone is blessed with food and a roof over your head. When the sun has set, the food feast, 'the iftar', follows. For this reason, Ramadan is called the coziest month of the Islamic calendar.
This year, like last year, Ramadan is being celebrated less lavishly than would be desired. But that doesn't mean you can't indulge. We are super excited to share with you that for this Ramadan we did a really fun collaboration with the talented Nisreen from Harf Noon Design studio. She has shared the most beautiful styling tips with us, so everyone can have a special Ramadan this year.
Also, not only do we have super nice styling tips in store for you but also two tasty recipes. Read on and you'll be ready for Ramadan in no time.
Iftar
After a day of fasting, you have certainly earned the Iftar. Iftar start right after sunset. Make sure your Iftar is completely in style. Stock up on the best service and make it cozy with candles or a vase!
Matt white vase
Gradient ceramics side plate taupe
Crystal glass candle holder diamond
A tasty recipe during the Iftar is a must. It is traditional to cover your table with all kinds of tasty dishes. Become your own home chef and show your cooking skills with this traditional recipe.
This recipe is for 6 people. But use more ingredients if you have a bigger family!
Morrocan kefta Briouat
Ingredients
- 1/2 kg (1 lb. 3 oz) ground meat (beef, lamb or a combo)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon paprika seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter (for cooking meat)
- Handful fresh parsley leaves (chopped)
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- About 1.1lb./1/2 kg warqa (or filo dough or large spring roll wrappers)
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted, for folding the briouats)
- 1 egg yolk, (lightly beaten, for folding the briouats)
- 4 cups vegetable oil (or as needed for frying the briouats)
Preparation instructions
- Mix the ground meat with the onion and spices. Melt the butter in a large skillet or frying pan and add the ground meat. Cook over medium heat, stirring to break up the meat into fine pieces until the meat is well browned and thoroughly cooked.
- Stir in the parsley and the three eggs and cook over medium-high heat just until the liquids are absorbed. You should be able to pack and mold the meat. Set the keftafilling aside.
- Fold the briouats.See How to Fold Briouats. With scissors, cut the pastry dough into strips about two-and-a-half inches wide. Place a single strip of warqa or spring roll wrapper – or two layered strips of phyllo dough – on your work surface. (If the strip of warqa is less than 10 inches long, use two layers.) Lightly brush butter on the bottom two-thirds of the dough. Place a large tablespoon of filling towards the bottom of the strip and fold the bottom up to enclose the filling.
- Fold the bottom left corner of the enclosed dough upwards to the right, aligning it with the right edge of the strip. Then flip the bottom right corner upwards to the left, aligning it with the left edge of the dough. You should see a triangle take shape. Continue folding the triangle, flipping right and then left in this manner, until you reach the end of the dough.
- Trim any excess length off the edge of the dough, dab it with a little egg yolk, and tuck the end of the dough into the "pocket" formed by the open edge of dough on the briouat. You can use the tip of a butter knife or your scissors to help tuck in the flap of dough.
- Cook or freeze the briouats. Deep fry the briouats in hot oil until light golden brown. Drain and serve. Briouats stay warm for a long time, but if frying them well in advance of serving, you can reheat them in a 350-degree F oven for five to 10 minutes.
Note: Uncooked briouats can be refrigerated for one day or frozen for up to two months in a freezer bag or plastic storage container. They can be fried directly from the freezer or allowed to thaw for 30 minutes to one hour before frying.
Source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/moroccan-kefta-ground-meat-briouat-recipe-2394906
Jungle porcelain serving tray
Ceramic 70's cookie jar: Venus
Ceramic 70's storage jar: hail
ceramic 70's side plate: bark (set of 2)
In the United Arab Emirates, Suhoor is celebrated after Iftar. It is then customary to celebrate with some light bites and lots of sweets.
Golden tea pot
Ceramics 70s americano mugs
Home chef ceramics bowl rustic pink
When you think of Suhoor, you automatically think of sweets, pastries and other delicacies. These delicacies are certainly not to be missed at an extensive Suhoor. We all know Baklava and rice pudding. But are you looking for something to surprise your guests with? Then go for a typical Dutch apple pie (Appeltaart). This apple pie is suitable for 10 to 12 people, so it is ideal to make for a large group of guests.
Dutch apple pie
Ingredients:
- 200 grams unsalted butter
- 200 grams white soft sugar
- 400 grams self-rising flour
- 1 egg (half is for the dough, the other half for the coating)
- 8 grams vanilla sugar
- pinch of salt
- 5 kg sweet and sour apples (unpeeled)
- 75 grams granulated sugar
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 15 grams breadcrumbs
Preparation method
- Beat the egg divided into two parts. One is for the dough, the other for the coating.
- Mix butter, caster sugar, self-rising flour, half an egg, vanilla sugar and a pinch of salt into a firm dough and divide into 3 parts.
- Now peel and slice the apples. In a cup, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
- Grease the springform pan and dust with flour.
- Use one part of the dough to cover the bottom of the mold. Use a second part of the dough for the edges. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on the bottom of the lined form. The breadcrumbs will absorb the moisture from the apples.
- Put half of the apples in the mold and sprinkle 1/3 of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. You can now place the remaining apple slices into the mold as well, sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Roll out the last part of the dough into a thin sheet and cut strips about 1 cm wide.
- Place the strips crosswise on the apple pie. With some extra strips of dough finish the edge all around. Use the half egg to grease the strips.
- Place the pie slightly below the middle of the oven. Bake for 60 minutes at 170 °C (top and bottom heat) until done and golden brown.
- Let the cake cool in the mold before removing the ring.
- Still a little warm with a dollop of whipped cream this cake is very tasty. But the next day it will be even tastier, when the flavors have infused.
Source: https://www.laurasbakery.nl/omas-appeltaart/
Decoration tips
If all goes well, you have now added all the must haves for a beautiful decoration to your shopping list. The trick is to place all these products as a beautiful set on your table. Not sure where to start? We will help you out!
A number of atmospheric elements should not be missing from the table styling. These include a tablecloth or placemats, napkins, candlesticks and a vase with flowers.
Try dried flowers to brighten up your table. They often have a lot of color and provide a cheerful touch. A tip from us: buy a little more dried flowers so that you can use the small branches of the dried flowers. These branches in combination with a beautiful napkin will bring the real restaurant feeling into your home. Another fun fact to share with you is that you can also use our Fruit bowl on base as a vase for a special effect.
To make all the accessories fit together, it is useful to stick to a color palette. Gold is obviously not to be missed. This color can be well combined with a color such as navy blue or a muted color for the ultimate chic feeling.
The use of light is also super important to create the right atmosphere. Are you choosing lanterns, candles or 'normal' table light?
Last but not least create a Ramadan playlist. During the day, music in public is not desired and even not allowed, but at night you can enjoy the most beautiful music.
Shop the look
To make it even easier for you, we have listed for you all the products seen in this photo! Thank you Nisreen for this beautiful table setting!
Ceramic 70's side plate: earth (set of 2)
Home chef ceramics: side plate grey/green
ceramic 70's salad bowl L: ocean
Radient crystal glasses (set of 2)
ceramic vase shell terra L
Ceramic scented candle: casa fruits
Ceramic Retro vase Lava Brown
Ceramic 70's cookie jar : Venus
Linen napkin salmon
Linen table cloth salmon
May the blessings of the month Ramadan be on all of us and we wish you a Ramadan Kareem!
Also, we love to see your Urban Nest inspired homes! To get featured: use the hashtag #Urbannesttrends and tag us in your photo/story.