10 Healthy Iftar Meals to Keep You Energized This Ramadan
1. Lentil Soup – A Warm and Nourishing Start
Ingredients:- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- In a pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add lentils, carrots, and spices, stirring for a minute.
- Pour in the broth and let it simmer for 20 minutes until soft.
- Blend until smooth, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
2. Grilled Chicken with Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cucumber, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Grill for 6–8 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Toss quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Slice the grilled chicken and serve over the quinoa salad.
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:- 4 bell peppers, tops removed
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauté the onion and ground meat until browned. Add tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Mix with cooked rice and stuff the mixture into the bell peppers.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes until peppers are tender.
4. Baked Salmon with Steamed Vegetables
Ingredients:- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Season salmon with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes.
- Steam vegetables until tender and serve alongside the salmon.
5. Chickpea and Spinach Stew
Ingredients:- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and spices, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with whole-wheat bread.
6. Slow-Cooked Lamb with Brown Rice
Ingredients:- 1 pound lamb chunks
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3 cups beef broth
- Sear the lamb in a pan until browned.
- Transfer to a slow cooker with onion, garlic, spices, and broth. Cook for 4–6 hours.
- Cook brown rice separately and serve with the tender lamb.
7. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu
Ingredients:- 1 block firm tofu, cubed
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- In a pan, heat sesame oil and sauté tofu until golden.
- Add vegetables, ginger, and soy sauce. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with brown rice or whole-wheat noodles.
8. Chicken and Lentil Pilaf
Ingredients:- 1 cup basmati rice
- ½ cup lentils
- 2 chicken thighs, cooked and shredded
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 3 cups chicken broth
- Sauté onions until golden, then add rice, lentils, and spices.
- Pour in broth and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in shredded chicken and serve warm.
9. Eggplant and Chickpea Curry
Ingredients:- 1 large eggplant, cubed
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Sauté onions and garlic, then add eggplant and spices.
- Stir in chickpeas and tomatoes, simmering for 15 minutes.
- Serve with whole-wheat flatbread or brown rice.
10. Sweet Potato and Lentil Patties
Ingredients:- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- ½ cup cooked lentils
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients into a thick dough.
- Shape into small patties and pan-fry in olive oil until golden.
- Serve with yogurt or a green salad.