Eid-ul-Fitr, the holy festival marking the end of Ramadan, is nearly here! As we all already know, Eid is a particularly significant time for Muslims. There are several Eid traditions to look forward to - the never-ending preparations, family reunions, and of course, the flavorsome variety of food. The three-day festival is incomplete without food; the sweet and savory delicacies of Eid are something we all look forward to. 

Celebrate the end of Ramadan with these five stunning Eid recipes!

Chicken Biryani

An authentic yet easy chicken biryani recipe tested to perfection!

Ingredients

• Basmati rice (1 cup)
• Chicken (600 grams)
• Mint leaves (½ tspn)
• Garam masala powder (1 tbsp)
• Salt (as per taste)
• Bay leaf (1 tbsp)
• Cumin seeds (1 tspn)
• Turmeric (1 tspn)
• Ginger paste (1 tbsp)
• Garlic paste (1 tbsp)
• Red chilli powder (1 tspn)
• Coriander leaves (2 tbsp)
• Hung curd (1 cup)
• Ghee (1 tbsp)
• 3 cardamoms
• 2 cloves 
• 2 onions
• 4 green chillies 
• Saffron water 

Method

Step 1: Heat Holy Land Dates extra virgin olive oil in a large cooking pot. Add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, and bay leaf, and saute for about 2 minutes. 

Step 2: Add chopped onions and fry until golden brown. 

Step 3: Add chicken along with ginger/garlic paste, slit green chillies, red chilli powder, turmeric, and salt. Stir everything together and let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Step 4: Add the hung curd and let the mixture cook for a little while longer on low heat. 

Step 5: Turn the flame to medium again. Add garam masala, coriander, and mint leaves.

Step 6: Add water and cook the chicken until it’s tender. 

Step 7: Evenly spread a layer of cooked rice over the chicken, then pour saffron water and ghee over it. 

Step 8: Cover it with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes. 

Step 9: Garnish with fried onions and coriander leaves. Serve while still hot with yogurt or a spicy raita of your choice! 

Potato Cheese Balls

A favorite of young and old alike!

Ingredients

• Potatoes (500 grams)
• Bread crumbs (1 cup)
• Chopped coriander (2 tbsp)
• Chopped onions (2 tbsp)
• Red chilli powder (½ tbsp)
• Garlic paste (1 tspn)
• Cumin powder (1 tspn)
• Salt (as per taste)
• Cheddar cheese (100 grams)
• Red chilli flakes (¼ tspn)
• Black pepper (¼ tspn)
• Cornflour (2 tbsp)
• 1-2 eggs

Method

Step 1: Boil potatoes in a large pot, peel, and mash until smooth. 

Step 2: Add coriander, onions, red chilli powder, cumin powder, salt, and garlic paste to the mashed potato and mix well. 

Step 3: Cut cheese into even cubes and season with red chilli, black pepper, and herbs. 

Step 4: Wrap the mashed potato mixture around the cheese so that it’s completely covered. 

Step 5: Beat eggs, season with salt and red chilli powder, and set aside.

Step 6: Roll the potato cheese balls in cornflour, then in egg wash, and then in bread crumbs. 

Step 7: Place balls in the fridge for 30 minutes, then fry on high heat using HLD extra virgin olive oil for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve with ketchup or marinara sauce!

Chicken Dynamite

Perfect appetizer for your Eid menu!

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken (500 grams)
• Mayonnaise (¾ cup)
• Sriracha sauce (4 tbsp)
• Ketchup (2 tbsp)
• Honey (½ tbsp)
• Garlic powder (½ tspn)
• Soya sauce (1 tbsp)
• Paprika (1 tbsp)
• Salt (as per taste)
• Wheat flour (½ cup)
• Cornflour (½ cup)
• Black pepper (½ tspn)
• 2 eggs
• Fresh lettuce 
• HLD extra virgin olive oil

Method

Step 1: Mix the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, ketchup, honey, and garlic powder together in a bowl and set aside. This is your dynamite sauce. 

Step 2: Cut the chicken into small cubes and marinate with soya sauce, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Set aside. 

Step 3: Mix wheat flour, cornflour, black pepper, and salt. Set aside. 

Step 4: Beat eggs and set aside. 

Step 5: Dip marinated chicken in egg wash, then coat with the flour mixture. Fry the coated chicken in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. 

Step 6: Remove the chicken from the oil, drizzle dynamite sauce on it so that it’s thoroughly coated, and serve on a bed of lettuce. 

Stuffed Medjool Dates

The sweet and savory combo that keeps everyone coming back for more! 

Ingredients

• HLD Premium Medjool dates
• Goat cheese
• Pistachios 
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Honey

Method

Step 1: Slice open the Medjool dates and remove the seed. 

Step 2: Stuff with goat cheese, crushed pistachios, and top it up with smoked paprika, and salt and pepper. 

Step 3: Drizzle honey and serve!

Fresh Summer Salad

Summer in a bowl!

Ingredients

• Feta cubes (5 ounces)
• Cherry tomatoes (2 cups halved)
• Red onion (⅓ thinly sliced)
• Olives (⅓ cup)
• Green bell pepper (1 thinly sliced)
• 1 cucumber (sliced into circular cubes)
• HLD black seed oil (1 tspn)
• Honey (1 tspn)
• Dijon mustard (1 tbsp)
• Lemon juice (1 tspn)
• Garlic (1 clove)
• HLD extra virgin olive oil (½ cup)
• Water (4 tbsp)
• Salt (as per taste) 

Method

Step 1: Place black seed oil, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic (finely chopped), extra virgin olive oil, water, and salt in a small bowl and mix well to make the dressing. Set aside. 

Step 2: Arrange feta cubes, cherry tomatoes, red onions, olives, bell peppers, and cucumber in a platter. 

Step 3: Drizzle with the dressing and very gently toss. Sprinkle some oregano on top to enhance the taste and serve.