Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm), praying (Salaat), reflection and community. The month of Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon (hilaal) signalling the beginning of the new month. This year, it coincided on 13 April of the Gregorian calendar. The fasting starts with sunrise until sunset. The first meal before sunrise, at predawn, is called SoHour, and the main meal at sunset (maghrib) is called ifTaar.

The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid el fiTer. For this occasion, our Arabic teacher Hilda together with our chef Yahia, will teach you how to make the Ramadan-special dessert: ATaayef

Join this Lebanese ‘Taalkeuken’ on Saturday 15 May from 17:00 until 19:00 and learn how to make ATaayef! By the end of the session, you’ll have a delicious and special Ramadan dessert, learned new Arabic vocabulary and much more about practices during Ramadan!

The ingredients you need are:
– 1 liter full-fat milk
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Sugar or maple syrup
– Orange blossom water
– Rose water
– Vanilla extract
– Peeled pistachios
– 1 cup of wheat flour
– half cup of fine semolina (griesmeel)
– 1 teaspoon of instant yeast
– half teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate
– 1.75 cups of milk
– 500ml of sunflower oil
– half cup of sugar

Tools:
Sieve – mixer – deep frying pan – kitchen towels

In addition to fasting (Sawm) and praying (Salaat), charity (zakaat) is an important pillar of Ramadan practices. In line with that, we would like to invite you to donate to families in Lebanon who were pushed into poverty following the devastating consequences of the port explosion in Beirut and the economic collapse of the country at large. Donations can be transferred to Taalhuis bank account: NL82TRIO0197853730 with the description ‘Donation for Lebanon’.

Shukran (thank you) and see you soon!