Blogger Anisa Karolia has created recipes for the holy month
Food blogger Anisa Karolia says she understands the meaning of Ramadan much better now she’s an adult.
Ramadan (taking place this year between March 22 and April 21) involves abstaining from food and water during the day, as well as dedicating yourself to prayer and charitable acts. The fast is broken at sunset every day with Iftar, where family and friends traditionally gather around the table.
“When you’re young, you don’t really think about the charity side of Ramadan,” Karolia explains.
“I now think more about countries where they don’t have food at the end of the day. We know that we are fasting, but we are looking forward to a table full of delicious food.”
Food is important during Ramadan – both abstaining from it, and coming together over it for Iftar. This is why Karolia – who has been blogging about food since 2015 – has dedicated her first cookbook to the holy month.
Called The Ramadan Cookbook, it’s full of recipes for Suhoor – the small meal eaten just before sunrise – Iftar, and beyond.
This is what Karolia wants everyone to understand about the relationship role of food during Ramadan…
“Part of Ramadan is about food, but that’s not all it’s about.
“It’s a month of training us to become good people, being kind, and getting close to God. It’s trying to pray more, trying to remember Him more – food is a small part.”
Karolia says the fasting element of Ramadan is about “discipline”.
“Discipline not just with food, but with everything. We always try to be the best humans we can be, but we try to be more charitable during Ramadan, and think about the less fortunate.”
When you’re fasting during the day, thinking about how you fuel your body at night is important. As the fasting involves skipping water from dawn to dusk, Karolia says rehydration is key. “Coconut water is really good, it’s refreshing and hydrating,” she says. “Watermelon is good, too.”
Dates are commonly seen during Ramadan, because they contain “a lot of vitamins and minerals”, explains Karolia.
She also considers how she prepares the food, and has been increasingly using the air fryer, to keep meals lighter and healthier.
To dedicate herself to the holy month as much as possible, Karolia says: “I batch make chicken and lamb samosas in advance.
“A lot of people who observe the fast in their homes will prepare savouries a few weeks beforehand. It makes life easier in Ramadan,” she explains. “It means they can concentrate on other things and not overexert themselves.”
Ramadan Cookbook by Anisa Karolia is published by Ebury Press, priced £22. Photography by Ellis Parrinder.