Sunday 13 July 2014

Driving Tests + Couscous + Milkshakes: 5 July - 11 July 2014

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful






Alhamdulillah, we are halfway through the blessed month of Ramadan. We thank and praise Allah for allowing us to keep these fasts in a safe and peaceful condition unlike our fellow Muslims across the world. 
Some of the little things which have made me happy this week include:

1. I opened a car bonnet for the first time in my life.

2. Seeing the Eid gift boxes that my nephews and nieces have made for children in Syria.

3. Juicy black dates!

4. The view from my window:


5. Hearing my 5 year old niece say the entire story of Prophet Yusuf (as) in her own words.

6. My cousins' graduation video!

7. Receiving an authentic Gujarati recipe from an old friend.

8. Rediscovering an old book that I bought in Madinah a few years ago.

9. Bananas at Sehri!

10. Passing my driving test!

11. Fresh cream cake from my cousin.

12. Cold milkshake after a long, hot fast.

 Saturday: Fresh fenugreek leaves being cooked by my mum for her Aloo Methi.
We had a large glut of summer fruit in the house.
Peaches, nectarines, cherries, pears.
The solution? Summer Fruit Crumbles! Perfect for the freezer to be enjoyed during the colder months.
At Iftar, I made a Chicken Karahi - a spicy tomato curry with chicken.
Mum made her Aloo Methi - potatoes cooked with fresh fenugreek leaves in a curry sauce. I will be sharing the recipe soon, inshallah.
Update: Here  is the recipe. 
We also cooked up Chicken Pulao - a traditional Pakistani chicken and rice dish.

Sunday: Iftar was a real treat with Oven Fries.
And, Spicy Fried Chicken!
Along with dates, mango milkshake, fresh melon and grapes.

 Monday: Mango mania as we prepare more milkshake for Iftar!

Mango milkshake is really simple - blend fresh mango chunks with milk, ice and ice cream.
I made Grilled Ras al Hanout Chicken Breast, which I spiced with harissa paste .. 
.. and Ras al Hanout which is a Middle Eastern spice blend containing a tonne of different spices.
Harissa paste, Ras al Hanout, olive oil and salt 
The chicken was marinated in this and grilled.
Until juicy and chargrilled!
Next, I made a Couscous Salad by first caramelizing a lemon in the grill pan. 
I mixed couscous with ground cumin, smoked paprika and salt.
And, added water to the pan to make a stock. The couscous was soaked in the stock until fluffy.

Next, cucumber, tomatoes, green chilli, fresh coriander, fresh parsley and fresh mint were all finely chopped.
And, stirred into the couscous.
The final touches were more salt, fresh lemon juice and olive oil.
And, Iftar was ready!

Tuesday: Iftar was Hakka Chicken Chilli, Noodles, Fishcakes, Cheese and Onion Quiche.


 Wednesday: My nieces and nephews had made Eid gift boxes to send to children in Syria.
They filled old shoe-boxes with toys and other goodies, and then decorated them. I think it's such a good idea for children to do this - it makes them aware of how lucky they are, and how there are millions of children suffering around the world.
We had guests for Iftar so I prepared a Trifle. Strawberry jelly was boiled.
I used sponge fingers, mixed berries, strawberry angel delight, custard and fresh peaches.
The jelly was set with the sponge and mixed berries.
Then, custard was spread on top along with sliced fresh peaches. It was decorated with whipped cream, strawberry angel delight and sprinkles.
I'm not a very good decorater - I don't really have the patience but I think I did quite well here!
We also had takeaway pizza.
This was a spicy mince one with veggies and cheese!
Mum made her Potatoes, Carrots and Peas Curry.
I made this Creamy Tomato Pasta. This is one of the first recipes that I ever posted on this blog!
There was also a Lamb Curry.

Thursday: My Sehri is never very exciting but I thought I'd show you one from this week. It's been really hot this week do cold cereal was in order.
Along with fluffy scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast with salt and pepper.
At Iftar, I made a milkshake using Rooh Afzah.
For those of you who don't know, Rooh Afzah is a Pakistani rose flavoured syrup - it tastes so good in milkshakes and other drinks.

Friday: I passed my driving test on Friday. I was so shocked considering it was my first time! Thanks to my lovely instructor!
Goodies sent by my cousin for Iftar!
Lamb Pulao, Shami Kebabs, Zardah - Sweet Rice
I was on milkshake duty again!
This was vanilla ice cream, milk and Rooh Afzah.
Blend up until creamy!
We had Chicken Burgers for Iftar.
With oven fries and Irn Bru!
For dessert, my cousin gifted us a cream cake.
This is my favourite cake - vanilla sponge with jam and whipped cream. The simpler, the better!


Recipes At This Muslim Girl Bakes this week:


Fresh Cherry Bars - buttery biscuit bars studded with fresh cherries - you have got to try these!


Peruvian Chicken Stir-Fry with Oven Fries - a simple and quick meal spiced with cumin, and served with homemade oven fries!

I hope you all have a wonderful and beautiful week, inshallah. Keep me and the entire Ummah in your prayers, please,

Wasalaam!


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