*Arafa Day*

Yawm al-Arafat:

The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat.

It is this day when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord. The day of Arafat holds great importance in Islam since this is the Day when Allâh completed his revelation on His Messenger (Sallâhu alaihe wa-sallam). It is reported in the Sahîhayn (i.e. Sahîh al-Bukharî and Sahîh Muslim), that a Jewish man said to him:

“O Amîr al-Muminîn (O head of the Muslims)! There is a verse in the Qur’ân, which if was revealed on us, the Jews, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival). ‘Which verse?’ He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Sûrah al-Maidah (5): 3] ‘We know on which day and in which place was this verse revealed to Allâh’s Messenger (sAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam). It was when he was standing in Arafat on a Friday.’

Arafat is the day on which Allâh took the covenant from the progeny of Adam (alaihis-salâm), it was reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi Allâhu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) related:

“(When Allâh created Adam (alaihis-salâm) Allâh took covenant from him in a place Na’mân on the day of Arafat, then He extracted from him all the descendants who would be born until the end of the world, generation after generation, and spread them out in front of Him in order to take a covenant from them also. He spoke to them face to face saying:“Am I not your Lord?”and they all replied: ‘Yes, we testify to it’. Allâh then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He was their Creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said:  “That was in case you (mankind) should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Surely, we were unaware of this. We had no idea that You, Allâh, were our Lord. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship You.” [(Sahîh by Shaikh al-Albanî in Silsilah al-Ahâdîth as-Sahîhah vol: 4, no: 1623]

Indeed, the day of Arafat is a blessed day and there is no other covenant greater than this covenant! Arafat is a day of Forgiveness from sins, freedom from the Hell-Fire for the people who are present in the plain of Arafat. A’ishah narrated the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

“There is no day on which Allâh frees more people from the Fire than the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels saying, ’What do these people (the Hajis) want?’” [Sahîh Muslim]

This Hâdîth mentions forgiveness for the pilgrims. In addition to this, fasting on the day of Arafat is a Sunnah and an expiation of sins for the residents. Hunaydah ibn Khâlid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

“The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) used to fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, on the day of Ashûrah, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” [(Sahîh) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sahîh Abi Dawûd vol: 2, no: 462]

It is reported in Sahîh Muslim that when the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked about the fasting on the day of Arafat, he said:

“It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year.” [Sahîh Muslim]

This fasting is Mustahabb only for the non-pilgrims and not for the Hajis (the pilgrims) because it was not the practice of Allâh’s Messenger (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) to fast on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage and in a narration he also forbade doing so.

*Valentine*

As I will be on my another trip of the world I thought of blogging this most loved occassion earlier:)

Happy Valentine Day to all my fans!!

Well here are some romantic pix with sayings to go with the mood:)

Always remind yourself that all relationships have a higher purpose. God created them to inspire us to understand and remember who we really are. After all, if you had no one to relate to, how could you know yourself?

That is why all relationships are sacred.~Michael Massaro

Date Cookies

Date cookies

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

These are the kind of cookies we serve for guests, or finish them off ourselves. We have them with Arabic coffee , but you can enjoy them with a glass of milk as well :). While I watch the tv, I remove date seeds, eat the date, or make a cake, or these cookies . In this way the task doesn't become really boring.

the date ball

Ingredients (slightly adapted from here) :

1-1 1/2 cup date (depends how much date you want in your cookies)

1 tsp cinnamon powder

200 gram salted butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 or 3/4 cup caster sugar

• Mix the date with Cinnamon powder and set aside
• Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy
• Add eggs, one at a time, add vanilla
• Add flour, mix till combined
• roll small part of the dough using a rolling pin, add some rolled date, close it and cut, emm I can't explain it, but hope the photos are able to.

• bake in oven set to 175 degrees Celsius for ten minutes
• keep in tight container

Vibibi ~ African Pancakes

Recipe of #Vibibi/Rice #Pancakes:
Pix credit Whosayna....

Amended by me.

3 cups Rice
2 cups Coconut (thick) Milk
1 tsp Yeast
1/2 cup Sugar
Few Saffron Strands
1 tsp Cardamon Powder
1 Egg


Soak rice in water overnight or for two hours. 
Liquidize the (drained off water) rice with coconut milk using blender into smooth batter.  Then add yeast and just give pulse mix,  remove in bowl and let it rise till double in size.
When batter has doubled beat the egg, sugar, saffron strands, cardamon powder and salt together, add into rice mixture and mix well with whisk.

Fry in small nonstick pan, put a teaspoon of oil,  pour one serving spoon of batter, check thickness if thin add more then cover to get the sponge effect on vibibi.

When one side done turn it over and cook the other side.
Serve with coconut cream.

Coconut cream:
1 cup thick Coconut Milk
1/2 cup milk
Nestle Cream (Optional)
2 tbsp Sugar or sweet condense milk
1 tspn custard powder
Pinch of Cardamon Powder
Saffron Strands

Boil all till it thickens, use whisker to whisk.  Remove from heat and can add fresh cream or nestle cream to it, keep in fridge to set.
Serve drizzle the sauce on Vibibi Pancakes and enjoy.

Kari Masalla Curry

#Kaari Masalla curry by M.S.

Pix credit via Onelifetreat:

Very yummy curry of Bohra specialty to be eaten with Rice.

Ingredients:

mutton /chicken with bones cut into small pieces.  Marinate with 2 tbsp green masala paste (green chillies+ garlic+ginger), 1 onion cut like samosa in meat when cooking  and 1 grated tomato.
Pressure cook the meat or cook chicken till tender.

In a pot add little oil and add kaari masala & kari patta nd saute till the aroma of the kaari masala fills the kitchen.  Mix the coconut milk and add it to the kaari masalla stirring continuously so that no lumps are formed & does not separate & curdle.
Add the cooked meat and let the kaari cook on slow flame.  Add the tamarind paste into the kaari,  and cook the kari till the meat is cooked.  If you find the curry thick add little water or if watery add the masala to thicken.  Last add the thick coconut tui.  If u don't have tamarind you can add lemon juice.

Serve kaari curry with jeera rice,  Garnish with coriander

Kaari Masala mixture if done at home by Chef Juzer:

Kaari Masala
About 1 Kg of Kaari Masala will be making from this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
For Gravy Mixture
350 gms Daria (Roasted Chana Dal)
350 gms Kaju (Cashew Nuts)
150 gms Roasted Peanuts (Unsalted)
75 gms Pumpkin Seeds (Magaj)
75 gms White Sesame Seeds (Tal)
For Whole Spices (Garam Masala)
½  tsp Loong
½  tsp Aniseed (Sauf or Varyali)
½  tsp Black Pepper Corn
½  tsp Dry Ginger Powder
½  tsp Haldi Powder
2 inch Cinnamon Stick 
4 Star Anise (Badiyan Phool)
4 Dry Kashmiri Chilli
METHOD
Dry roast all the garam masala until a mild aroma arise and keep it aside for cooling. Similarly dry roast the gravy mixture until a mild aroma arise and keep aside for cooling. Grind both garam masala and gravy mixture to fine powder and mixing thoroughly. If the powder is light coarsely ground it fine.


Keep it in a air tight jar in a cool dry place for further use. Enjoy!!

NAANIZZAS ~~ PIZZA VARIATION

#Naanizzas.
Credit:  Azra.

Make dough for naan.

1 cup white flour
1 tbsp sooji
Salt
1tbsp ghee
A little pepper and if u like dry oregano.

Knead into a smooth, firm dough.
Leave to rest for 20 mins.
Break into portions, roll into oval shape n roast on tawa in little oil or ghee.


Sauce.

Grind fresh tomatoes.
Heat oil in a pan. Add the tomatoes, garlic paste, salt and chillies. Let it boil n dry. When dry completely add a little lemon juice. You can also add a tbsp or two of tomato sauce.

Meat.
Chicken or beef.
Boil in ginger garlic paste, salt, lemon juice, tomato paste and yogurt. Dry completely and shread.

Veggies.
Cut veggies n peppers of ur choice n keep ready.
Onion rings
Green, red n yellow bell peppers
Corn kernels
Olives
Mushrooms

Cheese.
Grate mozarella cheese and keep ready.


Now take the naans. Spread the tomato sauce on top. Sprinkle some freshly chopped corriander leaves then place the meat, veggies n assortments, topping with cheese as desired.

Grill in the oven until cheese melts.

Enjoy as it is or with tomato ketchup.

Potatoes Patties

#PATTIES WITH DIFFERENCE BY NISRIN FROM ZANZIBAR

Take potatoes boil mash  them put salt n  black pepper and 1 teaspoon butter. Mix it keep aside.   

Filling:     
In a pan put oil and heat and do wagaar with Rai, fresh lassan, green chillies, limro & salt 
You can add corn as u like and paneer crumbled into very small pieces.  Before adding paneer first in very little oil saute it a little than add into mixture than last add Naryal khurchelu  (Grated coconut - khaman).  Mix all and taste to your liking how to adjust it.
Add lots curry leaves when sauteing, then remove them when mixture get cool (as you don't want curry leaves in your mouth) put lots coriander and mix well the mixture. 

Fill the above mixture into boiled potatoes into patties. Fry in beaten eggs or chana atta mixture choice is yours.                         
Try these the taste is awsome.  One of my best recipes.   😍

Mixture Pix:

Visheti - African bites

#Visheti

Recipe of Visheti:
Whosayna Zyaka Whattsapp group

2 cups All Purpose flour (maida)
1 tsp Yeast
2 tsp Cardamon powder
2 tbsp Butter or Ghee
1 tbsp Dessicated coconut
Coconut milk (for binding)

Bind using coconut milk into soft dough and let it rise.
Punch back the dough make 2 balls and roll thick roti cut in any shapes you like or (fold) roll into long pipe and cut one and half inches tube like. Lay them on greased trays and let it rise for 10mins. Deep fry into golden brown color and keep aside.

Syrup
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Water
few Saffron strands
Boil into 1 string consistency, remove from flame. Dip each fried kisheti in syrup, coat it well and keep in platter. Sprinkle deasicated coconut on top of each kisheti

NB: for bow ties, roll dough ball into thicker roti then cut two by one inches rectangles or bigger keep aside. Make long thin tube, cut one and half inches long straps to tie the bow in centre. Keep the strap in centre and seal by pinching from behind, it will form a tie. Lay the pinched side on the tray so it sticks as it rises

#Strawberries & Yogurt Ice~cream

From Global Whattsapp Group:     
               
#Strawberry Icecream/ Yogurt.

 Easy and delicious.

Set strawberry jelly in a flat dish. I used a 100ml pkt.
For the cream-
500ml vanilla ice cream
1 cup curd
1 cup Nestle cream or any thick cream
I pkt strawberry jelly
Chocolate biscuit pieces (remove any cream and break biscuit into pieces by hand)

Let the vanilla icecream thaw and mix the cream and curd into it using a hand beater. Make sure it's fully liquid. Add the strawberry jelly pkt and beat again making sure all jelly Crystals dissolve. Add chocolate biscuit pieces and mix using a spoon. Do not beat. Pour onto the set jelly. Make sure the jelly is fully set.

Refrigerate till it sets. Garnish with chocolate shavings/chips/sprinkles.
Feel free to omit the chocolate note in this recipe but I feel chocolate and strawberry
go together very well.

Kheema rotis.
From:  Thoughts over Chai Whattsapp Group by Tasneem Hussain from Tanga:

*Tin measurement is of empty condense milk tin*
1 tin Maida flour.
Add  salt.
Knead with water to form dough.
Make 7 Luvas (Pcs)
Deep luvas in oil covered completely for apprx 2 hrs.
Take 7 samosa patti in square shape.
Filling as you desire.

4 eggs whisked thoroughly pour this onto cooked kheema.

Stretch one luvo on working plank or patlo
On middle keep samosa pati.

On top lay feeling of cooked kheema.

Fold all for sides make sure no space left,
Else egg will drip off.
Shallow fry in oil on Tawa on low flame till light brown.

#Kababs A.T. Dsm shop style

Recipe of Kebabs:
Credit by:  Whosayna

Amended by me.
Half kg Kheema (Beef).  Kheema should be dry squeeze out of water.
Salt (as required)
4-5 Green chillies or as u like hot to your taste
few Mint leaves chopped
1/2 bunch Coriander leaves (chopped)
Half tsp Garam masala powder
1/4 tspn haldi powder
1 tspn Ginger Garlic paste
1 tsp dhana jeera powder
5 slices of Bread (soaked in water and then squeezed dry)
1 Eggs
1 Onion chopped small
2 tbsp hung thick Yogurt
1 tblspn Butter or Margarine

In Chopper put all spices, ginger garlic, egg, yogurt, butter, coriander and mint leaves with chillies.
Soak the slices of bread in water and take out by squeezing out water. Add in the above  mixture and mix well now add raw kheema and blend well till everything is blended in. 

You can even mix all above with hand if you don't have chopper machine.

Make either balls or oblong shapes and deep fry on medium flame till done.
Serve with coconut and red hot chutney.