Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top cooking tips for Ramadan

AWARD-WINNING CHEF SARAH ALI CHOUDHURY’S

GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING DURING THE HOLY MONTH


by ASJAD NAZIR

A KEY aspect of Ramadan is preparing food before and after the daily fast. With a coronavirus lockdown in place, it is even more essential to get this aspect of the holy month correct, but some simple food and cooking tips can not only reduce stress, but also improve health and wellbeing.

Award-winning British chef, food entrepreneur and cookery expert Sarah Ali Choudhury has been sharing her immense culinary skills from a young age and gave Eastern Eye 12 helpful Ramadan food/cooking tips. She said: “What we eat and how we prepare food is essential to healthy living, and even more so during Ramadan. Here are my food/cooking tips to ensure you are healthy and happy during the blessed month.”

Get fresh: Getting ingredients out of the freezer might be an easy option, but it’s not the most effective method. Cooking with fresh products like garlic, ginger and onion will immensely increase the flavour of the food, while adding more nutrients and giving more health benefits.

Plan: A little planning goes a long way. Creating a weekly menu saves time, but also ensures all the shopping gets used up and there is less food wastage. That will subsequently mean less trips to the supermarket, saving money and more time with loved ones, and for prayers.

Time-manage: Being on lockdown has made us all slow down in some way and that is a perfect opportunity to use time more effectively. Taking your time when cooking allows food to develop the flavours of all the ingredients and gets the best end results. A perfect example is taking time to properly chop and cook onions, which are so critical in South Asian dishes. Patience will make a huge difference, including increasing the flavour and intensity of a dish.

Store smartly: Even though big supermarkets keep most things refrigerated, some vegetables are best kept at room temperature and not in the fridge. Storage can greatly affect the texture of the ingredient. I find aubergines, okra and any type of squash like butternut, dhudi, zucchini, are best kept in an airy space to breathe and last much longer. I find they don’t cook as effectively when stored in the fridge. So learn about how each food is best stored.

Experiment: The extra time afforded by lockdown is a perfect opportunity to learn new dishes and techniques. You are never too experienced to learn something new. I’ve been cooking, practising, researching and developing my recipes during the lockdown period.

Inspiration: There are plenty of social media users giving food and cooking tips, but why don’t you become one? If you have cooked something really well, show it off on social media and share your knowledge. This will not only help others during the holy month, but will also inspire you to create more on the cooking journey. When lockdown is over you can look back on your culinary journey with pride.

Togetherness: If you are in isolation with family, go beyond just eating together and get them involved with cooking this Ramadan. This is especially great for those with young kids. I have been conducting online cooking classes with my children involved and find it’s a great way to teach them about good eating habits, hygiene and health. You can also use video messaging apps to share recipes with one another and can even do virtual iftars. Continue that spirit of togetherness and find out if others are in need, including elderly who can’t go food shopping during the lockdown.

Quality: The cost of food going up during the lockdown shouldn’t stop you from concentrating on quality over quantity. If you can, don’t skimp on the quality and get fresh food when it comes to things like eggs, fruit and vegetables. Remember that food and drink are the most important things we require and even more so after hours of fasting. You can also grow your own, which is easier than you might think.

Clean: I believe we create the tastiest food when we can move and access everything freely. That is why tidying as you go along will make you a lot more productive when preparing meals and lower stress levels, which can increase during long hours of fasting. When the space is clean, you become more efficient and can spend more time creating dishes.

Hydrate: It is really important to keep hydrated, so drink plenty of water before and after the fast. This has multiple health benefits and will prevent you from overeating. If you don’t like drinking lots of water, eat fresh fruit and make fresh smoothies. A good added tip to reduce dehydration during Ramadan is to have less salt in your meals.

Don’t skip suhur: You may find it difficult to get up early, but don’t skip the suhur meal as it will set you up for the day. There are a lot of suhur super foods that will help during the day by releasing energy like fruits, yoghurt, oats, nuts, chia seeds, quinoa, eggs and smoothies.

Self-care: Last but not least, cooking is not just about what you do in a kitchen or grocery store. It is important to look after yourself while fasting during a global pandemic. Get good sleep, do mindfulness exercises, remain active where possible, read, relax, follow social distancing guidelines and remain positive. This will keep the mind active, energised, happy and ready to take on any challenges. Feeling healthy while fasting and praying will be like a breath of fresh air for Ramadan.

www.sarahalichoudhury.com

More For You

Leicester’s 'unhealthy' fast food outlets sparks obesity concerns

A Leicester City council spokesman said the authority was “aware of the increasing number of takeaways in the city”

Getty Images

Leicester’s 'unhealthy' fast food outlets spark obesity concerns

Hannah Richardson

LEICESTER ranks among the top 20 areas of England with the most fast food joints compared to its population. The city came in 17th of 152 local authority areas for the number of unhealthy eateries, with 153.5 for every 100,000 residents.

The figures, published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, show an increase in such outlets, up from 137.1 per 100,000 in 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Are men secretly the more romantic gender? The surprising truth about emotional needs!

Men’s emotional depth in romance: A closer look at the unseen side of love and emotional connection

Getty Images

Are men secretly the more romantic gender? The surprising truth about emotional needs!

When we think of romance, it's easy to picture women swooning over love letters, roses, and candlelit dinners. Pop culture has long painted women as the more emotional and romantic gender, while men are often depicted as more stoic or indifferent. But what if this narrative is turned upside down? Recent research suggests that men might actually be the more romantic sex, not in how they express it, but in how deeply they value and depend on romantic relationships.

But let me tell you, the idea that men are more romantic than women isn't all about grand gestures or dreamy poetic declarations. It's about the emotional weight men place on romantic partnerships. Studies show that men tend to seek out and stay in steady relationships, not just for companionship, but for emotional survival. Unlike women, who often have a broad support system outside of romance that includes friends, family, and colleagues, men tend to rely heavily on their partners for emotional intimacy and support.

Keep ReadingShow less
5 best top coat nail polishes in the UK for 2025:  Shine, strength & chip-free nails

Seal the deal on a flawless manicure—top coat picks that keep your nails glossy, strong, and chip-free

iStock

5 best top coat nail polishes in the UK for 2025:  Shine, strength & chip-free nails

A flawless manicure isn’t just about picking the perfect shade—it’s about sealing the deal with a top coat that adds shine, extends wear, and keeps your nails looking salon-fresh. Whether you love a glossy gel-like finish, a quick-dry formula, or a little sparkle, we’ve rounded up the 5 best top coat nail polishes for 2025 that are making waves in the UK.

So, if you’re tired of chips, smudges, and dull nails, these game-changing top coats will take your mani from basic to breath-taking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Affordable gift ideas for Valentine’s Day

Love need not come with a hefty price tag

Affordable gift ideas for Valentine’s Day

THE ongoing credit crunch and cost of living crisis may pose a challenge for many this Valentine’s Day.

While extravagant gestures may be out of reach, that doesn’t mean the annual celebration of love has to feel any less special. There are plenty of thoughtful, creative, meaningful and romantic ways to make someone feel cherished – without breaking the bank.

Keep ReadingShow less
Beyond roses and chocolates: Unique Valentine’s traditions around the world

Love takes many forms—celebrate Valentine's Day with unique traditions from around the world

Pinterest

Beyond roses and chocolates: Unique Valentine’s traditions around the world

Valentine’s Day. You picture red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and candlelit dinners, right? But love isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. Around the world, different cultures celebrate romance in ways that are surprising, playful, and sometimes downright bizarre. From pigs and love spoons to anonymous poetry battles, these unusual traditions prove that love has no borders—just some very unique rituals.

1. Wales: Love spoons over love letters

In Wales, forget cheesy Hallmark cards—hand-carved wooden spoons called *llwy garu* are the ultimate love token. Dating back to the 17th century, men would intricately carve spoons for their beloved, decorating them with symbols like hearts (love), keys (“you hold the key to my heart”), and knots (eternal unity). The more detailed the design, the deeper the affection. A spoon might not sparkle like a diamond, but hey, nothing says commitment like hours of whittling.

Keep ReadingShow less