[🇵🇰] Eid Special

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Source: https://images.dawn.com/news/1192373/bored-of-the-same-old-here-are-8-irresistible-recipes-to-level-up-your-eid-spread

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Bored of the same old?
Here are 9 irresistible recipes to level up your Eid spread​

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Is it even Eid if you don't stir the pot? Quite literally.​

Eid is right around the corner and some of us can't wait to get a taste of biryani, qorma and sweet vermicelli. But while nothing beats the traditional Eid cuisine, there is an alternative for everything in case you're tired of the same old spreads or just don't want to be basic.

Whether you're looking for a quick fix or something exotic, there are many ways to diversify your Eid layout and we've compiled a bunch of recipes to help you do the same.

From appetisers and main courses to desserts, here's an Eid menu that'll jazz up your soiree and give your guests something to talk about — aside from the usual family gossip.

[h2]For appetisers, serve Honey Garlic Chicken, Bang Bang Chicken Skewers and Dynamite Shrimp[/h2]There's nothing like a range of appetisers to add a little oomph and a touch of elegance to the traditional Eid spread. And while we understand that not everyone is interested in consuming (or making) all three, maybe pick your favourite and get things rolling!








[h2]For the main course, serve Lemon Chicken Rice, Chilli Oil Linguine and Moroccan Chicken[/h2]

It's cool if you think it's too risky to experiment with the main course on Eid but remember — you're here because you're not basic! So maybe serve either of these with a tried and tested dish and get your way without ruffling any feathers! Then again, is it even Eid if you don't stir the pot?

 

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[h2]For dessert, serve Kunafah, Peppermint Crisp Tart Tres Leches Cake OR a Pistachio Tres Leches Cake[/h2]
Meethi Eid is all about — let's face it — the meetha! So never, EVER forget to serve sheer khorma. But if you're a rebel like us, serve this kunafah instead! Oh, and definitely try one of these Tres Leches Cakes because who doesn't want cake on Eid?

Here are some tried and tested saviyaan recipes too in case you're boring.














After all this, if your guests are still unhappy, it's time to find new friends and family. But in the true spirit of Eid, make sure you put your best foot forward, spoil the little ones, and always say yes to Eidi! After all, what are you making all this food for if not for envelopes full of cash?

 

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[H2]1. Sheer Kurma[/H2]

Sheer Kurma recipe (Pinterest)
[H2]Ingredients:[/H2]
50 grams roasted vermicelli

5-6 cups milk

2 tbsps ghee

10-12 cashew nuts, vertically halved

8-10 almonds, vertically halved

1½ tbsps chironji

¼ cup condensed milk

12-15 pistachios, blanched, peeled and slivered

½ tsp green cardamom powder

A pinch of nutmeg powder

[H2]Method:[/H2]

1. Heat ghee in a wide non-stick pan. Add cashew nuts, almonds, and chironji and sauté till golden brown. Drain on a plate.

2. Heat the ghee remaining in the pan. Add roasted vermicelli and sauté for 1 minute. Transfer on the same plate.

3. Heat milk in the same pan. Add condensed milk and mix well. Cook till the mixture comes to a boil.

4. Stir in the fried vermicelli along with the fried nuts. Add pistachios and mix till well combined. Cook for 8-10 minutes, while stirring in between. Add green cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and mix well.

5. Switch the heat off and transfer into individual serving bowls. Serve.

 

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[H2]Nihari Gosht[/H2]

Nihari Gosht recipe

[H2]Ingredients:[/H2]
[H2]Spices for Masala Bag:[/H2]
2 tbsp Coriander seeds

1 tsp Fenugreek seeds

¼ Nutmeg

[H2]For Marinating Mutton:[/H2]
1 kg Mutton (nalli, noti, chop)

Salt to taste

3 tbsp Ginger garlic paste

½ tsp Turmeric

1 tbsp Chilli powder

[H2]For Oil:[/H2]
½ cup Mustard oil

½ cup Water

1 Lemon

½ tsp Salt

For Frying:

2 cups Sliced onions

¾ cup Onion paste

3-4 Cloves

4-5 Cardamom

2 Cinnamon sticks (1 inch)

Water as required

[H2]For Curry:[/H2]
½ cup Curd

3 tbsp Poppy seeds

¼ cup Dry Grated Coconut

1½ tbsp Coriander powder

For Potli Masala:

75 gm Whole coriander

80 gm Green cardamom

10 gm Cloves

10 gm Black peppercorn

8 gm Mace

2 Bay leaves

½ Nutmeg

30 gm Black cardamom

20 gm Fennel seeds

40 gm Cinnamon sticks

50 gm Shahi jeera

8 gm Dry Rose Petals

10 gm Cubeb pepper

20 gm Pan ki Jad

10 gm Long pepper

10 gm Stone flower

15 gm Indian cassia buds

20 gm Vetiver roots

25 gm Sandalwood powder

[H2]For Finishing:[/H2]

3 tbsp Roasted gram flour

3 tbsp Cashew paste

2 tsp Potli masala

Pinch of Mace Powder

Pinch of Cardamom Powder

½ tsp Black Pepper powder

2 tsp Screw Pine water

1 drop Sweet Perfume

2 Green chillies, slit

Handful of chopped Coriander

[H2]For Garnish:[/H2]
Handful of Fried onions

Few Lemon wedges

[H2]Method:[/H2]
1. First we prepare a potli of whole coriander, methi dana and nutmeg and keep separately. Potli is basically a spice bag. You can use a muslin cloth to make it.

2. Marinate the meat in salt, turmeric, chilli powder, ginger garlic paste and keep aside.

3. In ½ cup water add some salt and a few drops of lemon. Heat mustard oil and once the oil is hot sprinkle the salt & lemon water in it.

4. Once all of the water evaporates, put the spice bag in the pan and add sliced onions and brown them.

5. Once they are brown, remove them while straining the oil, chop them and keep them aside.

6. In the same pan, pour the strained oil back with the spice bag. Heat the oil and add onion paste. Add cardamom, cinnamon,and cloves.

7. Add fried chopped onion, and the marinated meat. Roast the meat for 10 to 15 mins while stirring it continuously, then add water or stock and cover and cook till the meat is half cooked.

8. Heat a small pan, roast khus khus and desiccated coconut. Let it cool down. Add curd and grind it well.

9. Once the moisture is reduced and the oil surfaces add coriander powder, curd and khus and coconut paste. Now roast the masala till the oil surfaces and skim and remove the oil and keep aside for garnish.

10. For potli masala, roast whole coriander, green cardamom, cloves, black peppercorn, mace, bay leaves, nutmeg, black cardamom, saunf, cinnamon, shahi jeera, dry rose petals, kabab chini, pan ki jad, pipli, patthar ke phool, balchar, and khas ki jad. Cool it down, then grind it to a fine powder then add chandan powder and mix it well.

11. Add more water or stock and cook until the meat is almost cooked. For finishing, mix together bhuna besan and raw cashew paste with some water and add to the boiling nihari.

12. Finish nihari with pepper powder, javitri elaichi powder, potli masala, kewra water and ittar. Take out the spice bag.

13. Garnish with chopped coriander and fried onions and enjoy!

 

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[H2]Shahi Tukda[/H2]

Shahi Tukda recipe (Pinterest)
[H2]Ingredients:[/H2]
4-8 white bread slices

4 cups milk

¾ cup sugar

½ teaspoon green cardamom powder

¼ cup blanched and sliced pistachios + for garnishing

Ghee for shallow-frying

Sugar syrup for drizzling

Silver varq for coating

[H2]Method:[/H2]
1. To make rabdi, heat milk in a non-stick pan and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally, till it thickens.

2. Add sugar and mix well. Add cardamom powder, stir and cook for a minute. Add pistachios and mix well. Remove from heat and refrigerate to chill.

3. Heat some ghee in another non-stick pan.

4. Cut bread slices into 4 equal portions.

5. Shallow-fry the pieces in hot ghee till golden brown from both the sides. Drain on absorbent paper.

6. Take fried bread pieces on a plate. Drizzle sugar syrup and top with rabdi. Apply silver varq and sprinkle pistachios.

7. Transfer on a serving plate and serve immediately.

 

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Chand Raat: the night before Eid

A market in Lahore at night before Eid
As a matter of fact, this night is more fun than the Eid day itself. As the markets are flooded with people buying clothes and other essentials for the impending occasion. The markets on this night are worthy of at least one visit from you before you die. Mothers preparing sweet dishes for the day to distribute in the whole neighborhood, girls chattering about their Eid shopping, and elders gossiping about the country's evergreen inflation with relatives gathered to celebrate the day makes the whole environment enough magical to last forever in memories. People usually sleep for 3 to 4 hours this night and the main reason for this insomnia is excitement. As a Pakistani Christian, I still enjoy every single moment of this enchanting event. As in the end, it's all about happiness. I also invite you to forget the differences and to make life memorable enough by sharing such kind of joys together.

Mehndi: An Artistic Tradition

Photo by Vitaliy Lyubezhanin on Unsplash
Mehndi, or henna, is an integral part of Eid UL Fitr celebrations in Pakistan. Women and girls decorate their hands and feet with intricate designs using henna paste, which is made from dried henna leaves mixed with water and essential oils. The designs range from simple floral patterns to complex geometric shapes, and they can take hours to complete.

Mehndi is a symbol of beauty and creativity in Pakistani culture, and it is often used for special occasions like weddings and Eid UL Fitr. The process of applying mehndi is a social activity, with women and girls gathering together to create and admire each other's designs.

Traditional Eid Foods

Eid UL Fitr is also a time for indulging in traditional Pakistani foods, with sweet and savory dishes prepared to mark the occasion. One of the most popular dishes is Sawayian, a sweet vermicelli pudding made with milk, sugar, and cardamom. It is often served for breakfast on Eid morning and is a favorite among children.

Sawayian
Other traditional Eid foods in Pakistan include Sheer Khurma, a milk-based dessert made with vermicelli, dried fruits, and nuts; Kebabs, grilled meat patties seasoned with spices and herbs; and Biryani, a spicy rice dish with meat or vegetables.

Biryani- the most delicious dish in the world if cooked by someone's mother
Eid UL Fitr is a time of joy, celebration, and forgiveness. From the beautiful Mehndi designs to the delicious traditional foods, the festivities bring people together in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. By sharing these traditions with the world, we can appreciate the diversity of Muslim cultures and the beauty of our shared humanity. So, don't wait and celebrate Eid with your Muslim friends.

 

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