Ramadan, a month of communal celebration, can evoke a deep sense of longing for home, especially for those observing it far from their families. The cherished traditions of shared Iftars and pre-dawn Sehri meals, central to the Ramadan experience, amplify feelings of homesickness for Muslim students and expatriates abroad.

As families across the globe prepare for gatherings and prayers during Ramadan, those far from home may find themselves yearning for the familiar sights, sounds, and most importantly, tastes of their cultural heritage. In these moments, Dorothy's timeless sentiment from The Wizard of Oz rings especially true: "There's no place like home."

For those navigating this sacred month in unfamiliar surroundings, the craving for familiar comfort foods becomes a potent reminder of home. To alleviate this homesickness, The Sandy Times has compiled a selection of 7 recipes, each a culinary bridge to cherished memories, designed to bring the warmth and comfort of home to your Ramadan 2025 experience.

Biryani, a dish woven with cultural significance, is a beloved Ramadan staple. Its aromatic blend of spiced chicken and fragrant rice provides sustained energy and deep satisfaction after a day of fasting. The colours and rich aromas evoke the warmth of communal gatherings, making it a perfect Iftar meal.

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Combine chicken with yoghurt, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, mint, cilantro, and salt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. Boil rice until 70% cooked, then drain. Sauté onions until golden, add tomatoes and then marinate the chicken. Cook until the chicken is nearly done. 

Now, layer rice over chicken and sprinkle with herbs. Cover and cook on low heat for 20–25 minutes. Gently mix and garnish to enjoy it in your iftar.

For those following Ramadan 2025 and missing their home, the longing for familiar flavours can be strong. Chicken Fattoush, a vibrant Middle Eastern salad, offers a refreshing and satisfying Iftar option reminiscent of shared meals and cultural traditions. This quick and easy recipe allows you to make time for your prayers and brings a taste of home during Ramadan, no matter where you are.

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Prepare the yoghurt-garlic sauce: Whisk together the yoghurt and minced garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt as per your need and set aside.

Now, make Pita Croutons: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a small, deep saucepan until shimmering hot (350º-375ºF). Lay the pita bread flat, roll it up jelly-roll style, and slice thinly crosswise. Fry the pita strips in the hot oil until golden brown, it will take about 30 seconds. Use a strainer spoon to transfer the croutons to a paper-towel-lined plate and season immediately with salt.

Arrange the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, crumbled feta, red onion, olives, and fresh parsley leaves on two plates.

After that, top the salad with shredded cooked chicken. Squeeze lemon juice over the salad. Top the salad with the crispy pita croutons and drizzle generously with the yoghurt-garlic sauce. Serve immediately.

This Chicken Fattoush is a delightful way to break your fast. It provides a light yet satisfying meal that brings a taste of the Middle East to your Ramadan 2025 Iftar.

As Ramadan 2025 approaches and thoughts turn to Ramadan shared Iftars, Harira offers a soothing taste of home. This Moroccan lentil and chickpea soup, with aromatic spices like cinnamon and turmeric, is a traditional Iftar staple. This nourishing soup can ease homesickness for those away from home, especially in the lead-up to Ramadan 2025 UAE. This vegan recipe is super easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

Recipe: 

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. Pour in broth and simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are tender. Add vermicelli if desired. Ladle into bowls, garnish it with fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges. This warm, flavorful soup brings Middle Eastern tradition to your Ramadan table.

For those honouring Ramadan 2025 away from their families, the simplicity of Hummus with Pita Bread can be a soothing reminder of home. This easy-to-prepare dish gives a familiar taste of Arabic cuisine.

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Blend the Hummus — combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, water, and sea salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve your desired consistency.

Then prepare the vegetables. Wash and slice the assorted vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the warm pita bread wedges on a serving plate alongside a bowl of freshly made hummus. Drizzle extra olive oil over the hummus. Serve with the sliced vegetables for dipping. Enjoy this simple and nourishing Iftar dish, a pleasing taste of home.

Kunafa, a cherished Middle Eastern dessert, brings a touch of sweetness to Ramadan Iftar. Its crunchy kataifi pastry, layered with creamy Ashta (milk pudding) and optional sweet cheese, then soaked in fragrant syrup, offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. For those longing for the taste of home during Ramadan 2025, this traditional treat provides a pacifying and celebratory end to the fast.

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Prepare the syrup before everything. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the flame, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickening. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract (if using), then let cool.

Thaw the kataifi dough. Divide it in half. Place one-half in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (not powdered). Repeat with the other half. In a big bowl, mix the chopped kataifi with 3/4 of the melted ghee, ensuring all strands are coated.

Start making Ashta. Whisk milk and cornstarch in a saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Let cool slightly.

Time to assemble the Kunafa. Grease a baking pan with ghee. Press half of the kataifi mixture into the bottom of the pan, forming a firm base and sides. Pour the Ashta mixture evenly over the kataifi base, leaving a half-inch border. If using cheese, grate it and spread it over the Ashta. Spread the remaining kataifi mixture over the Ashta, pressing lightly. Also, drizzle the remaining melted ghee over the top. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and crispy.

Immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot Kunafa. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Put the Kunafa onto a serving platter and serve warm.

Falafel with Tahini Sauce has a comforting and authentic taste of the Middle East. This protein-rich dish, with its crispy falafel and creamy tahini, provides a satisfying Iftar meal. As Ramadan approaches, try this recipe that brings a piece of familiar culinary tradition to your home.

Ingredients:

For Tahini sauce:

For salad:

Recipe:

Soak dried chickpeas in water for 24 hours, adding half a teaspoon of baking soda to soften them. Drain well. In a food processor, blend soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper until a coarse mixture forms. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

To make Falafel, stir baking powder and optional sesame seeds into the chilled mixture. Shape into small patties or balls. Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the falafel until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Whisk together tahini paste, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt. Adjust consistency with more water if needed. Assemble the salad. Toss mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Dress with lemon juice. Finally, arrange falafel on a plate with tahini sauce and salad to feel the Ramadan at home. Garnish with lemon wedges. Enjoy your Ramadan Kareem.

For overseas, Za'atar Manakish offers a delightful taste, perfect for Suhoor as you spend time in Middle Eastern countries. This flavourful flatbread, topped with aromatic za'atar and olive oil, provides a satisfying and energising start to the day.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

For the topping:

Recipe:

In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, and sugar. Wait for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. To make the dough, add olive oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.

Move the dough to a floured surface and knead it for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise for 45-60 minutes or until it has tripled in size.

Mix za'atar and olive oil in a small bowl until a spreadable consistency is achieved. To shape the Manakish, divide the dough into equal portions of 6-8. Roll each portion into a round and press with your fingertips to create shallow dips.

Spread the za'atar mixture evenly over each round, leaving the edges bare. For baking, preheat the oven. Bake until the edges are crispy. Serve warm for a satisfying Suhoor.

With these delicious recipes, you can ignite the warmth of home at your table, allowing the rich flavours of Ramadan to dispel homesickness no matter where life takes you.