Weekly Menu

Week 3

As we move into the third week of Ramadan, our bodies have, or at least should have adjusted to the routines of the month. To fully enjoy the health benefits that a month of fasting can bring, one must remember to strike a balance between iftar, dinner, and sehri, without scrimping or over-indulging at any of these meals. There are some basic rules to follow in order to do this:

Drink sufficient water between iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration.

Consume sufficient vegetables at meals. Eat fruits at the end of the meal.

Avoid intake of high sugar (table sugar, sucrose) foods through sweets or other forms. Opt for fruits and fresh juices instead.

Avoid spicy foods.
Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic. Three days to five days before Ramadan gradually reduce the intake of these drinks. A sudden decrease in caffeine prompts headaches, mood swings and irritability

The weekly planner
Any iftar meal should contain two kinds of sweet drinks (lassi, sherbet, fresh fruit juice, or milkshake), a fruit portion (including dates), and not more than one one fried item (alternate between piyaju and beguni or other fritters), a helping of legumes like tchola or sprouts to aid digestion, and one filling main dish to complete your energy requirements. We've planned out a rotation of main dishes for an entire week, so you can have a no-fuss meal with variety.

Tuesday
Piyaju, dates, fresh sprouts, and grapefruit. Vegetable soup, and potato chops make good main items, and you can wash it down with a drink made from tamarind, lime, and molasses.

Good deed of the day
Accept invitations for iftar or dinner. It is not only a social duty but also a religious rite.

Wednesday
Beguni, dates, fresh tchola (sprinkled with lemon to taste), and, seafood noodles, and kharous (sweet pumpkin, served as a fruit dish). Quench your thirst with a chilled glass (or three) of Roohafza.

Good deed of the day
Being compassionate toward animals is mandated in Islam, so hand out whatever left-over items you have, to the stray dogs in your vicinity.

Thursday
Pointed gourd (potol) fritters, dates, boiled corn in syrup, aloor dom, paratha, pineapple chunks with fresh green chilli, and lemonade.

Good deed of the day
Do not make false promises. Once promises are made, keep them.

Friday
Puffed rice with mustard oil and chilli, dates, fresh sprouts, halim, fruit custard, strawberry icecream-shake.

Good deed of the day
Give an extra 10 takas to the rickshaw puller and watch his face light up with joy and gratitude.

Saturday
Piyaju, dates, hummus and pita bread, fresh papaya, jilebi, lassi.

Good deed of the day
Visit a nearby orphanage to share an iftar meal and feel the warm glow of happiness in your heart.

Sunday
Beguni, dates, spring rolls and dimsum, mixed fruit salad, shikanji.

Good deed of the day
Search for Qadr on the odd nights that follow.

Monday
Potol fritters, dates, chicken jhalfrezi, luchi, green salad, pomegranates, lemonade.

Good deed of the day
Let go of that grudge, forgive and ease the extra baggage from your heart.

LS Pick:
Hummus
Ingredients:
15 ounces of chickpeas
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp low fat peanut butter (optional, but if you do not use, increase yogurt by 1 tbsp)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
In a food processor combine chickpeas, peanut butter (if desired), yogurt, garlic, and lemon juice. Blend well. Add salt and cumin and blend to a smooth and creamy dip.
If your hummus is too thick, add a little bit of warm water or olive oil.

By Sabrina Fatma Ahmad, Wasia Mehnaz
Photo Courtesy: Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka

An experience

Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka invites you to experience Ramadan like never before.

Savour an incomparable feast of traditional and International Iftar delicacies during the Holy Month of Ramadan at Spice & Rice Restaurant located at the Ground Level of Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka.

Spice & Rice's exciting atmosphere is as much of an attraction as its sensational cooking. Chef Shaker ul Alam brings a menu that ensures plenty of scope to experiment. It has a wide variety of food, from delicious signature dish-'Kebab of the day', to tantalising European fish fillet with lemon butter sauce. One cannot go without the delicious traditional items like Fried Eggplant with gram flour, crispy lentil cutlets and Chicken pakora for iftar. The scrumptious mutton halim, served with lemon wedges, is something that everyone must try.

If you have a sweet tooth, prepare to indulge! Choose from a selection of delectable local sweets such as, jalebi, umali and French pasties.

Guests may also try a delicious a la carte iftar menu, served at your table at the Water Garden Brasserie Restaurant located at the Lobby level of Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka. Refresh yourself with a glass of fresh fruit juices to break the fast and experience a range of mouthwatering iftar items the likes of Chicken Tikka, lamb kebabs. Finish off with delicious desserts like caramel firni, and traditional sweets. You may also choose from the takeaway menu for iftar and experience a five star taste at home.

Create lasting memories by hosting a private iftar party at any of the Banquet Halls of your choice at Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka or take away from Chit Chat Deli café.