Hope that you and your family are all safe and well. Are you looking for new and fresh ideas as to what to prepare for your family for Iftar? This video is for you. Even if you are not the one planning or preparing for Iftar, you’ll enjoy watching it. Somehow, we appreciate it better when we watch cooking shows especially when we are fasting. (Don’t leave out Ibadah, of course 😉)

We will have four episodes featuring Chef Mel Dean on different dishes you can cook with Ajwa dates.

In this first episode, Chef Mel has come up with a mouth-watering dish called Pilaf Rice with Grilled Spiced Prawns.

Ingredients for Pilaf Rice
– 3 cups basmati rice, soaked for 10 minutes
– 7 cups water
– 4 Ajwa dates, sliced
– Pinch of saffron, soaked in bit of water
– 12 tbsp cumin powder
– Mixed spice; cinnamon, cardamom, cloves & star anise
– 2 bay leaves
– 3 tbsp ghee
– 1 chicken stock
– 1 cup fried shallots
– ½ cup cashew nuts
– 1 cup fresh coriander & fresh mint leaves, chopped
– Salt to taste

Ingredients for Grilled Spiced Prawns
– 4 large prawns
– 1 Ajwa dates, chopped
– 1 tsp paprika powder
– ½ tsp oregano powder
– Pinch of blackpepper
– 2 tbsp salted butter
– ½ lemon, juice

You may purchase the Ajwa Dates here >> https://souq.sg/product/ajwa-p/

Press this button to watch the video!

Food Wastage in Ramadan

While we try out the recipe above, do be mindful not to over-estimate the portion of the dishes resulting in food wastage. Did you know that Middle East nations are the world’s top food wasters and this is especially so during the month of Ramadan? (Source: Sustainability Advocate in Middle East and North Africa, EcoMENA)

We’ve compiled some useful links to discover practical and effective tips on how not to waste food especially in Ramadan. Press the button below to read more!