Tour Guide Mostar

GastronomyMay 19, 2017May 19, 2017

Ramadan recipes – Bey’s soup

INGREDIENTS

chicken leg quarters

2 carrots (large, diced)

1-2 celery sticks (or 1 celery root)

½ bunch parsley

½ tsp ground pepper

1 handful okra (cut into rounds if it’s not Balkan okra)

1 tsp seasoned salt

2 tbsp flour

(Optional) 1 egg yolk

(Optional) 1 teaspoon sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep okra ahead of time by boiling it in water and lemon juice for an hour or soaking it in the same.

Place the chicken, carrots, celery sticks (root), ¼ bunch parsley, okra, salt and pepper in a pot, cover with 6-7 cups of water, and cook on high heat until it boils. Lower to medium heat and cook for another 70-80 minutes. Occasionally replenish with (warm) water so that the level of water is about the same throughout cooking.

Take the chicken, celery, and parsley out. Remove chicken skin and bones, dice the meat, and then return it to the pot. (You can also take the carrot out and cut it up into even smaller pieces, or mash it up and return to the liquid.)

Place the flour and some water in a smaller cup, then mix well so there are no bubbles. Add the mix to the soup so that it thickens it. Let it simmer on high for 5-10 minutes.

Dice the remaining, fresh parsley and also add to soup.

(Optional) Mix egg yolk and sour cream in a cup, and then pour into the soup, and simmer another 5 min.

GastronomyMay 19, 2017May 19, 2017

Baklava

INGREDIENTS

1 glass flour

¼ glass water

2 eggs

⅕ tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon olive oil

1⅓ glasses starch

Filling

1 glass melted margarine

1½ glasses ground walnuts

Syrup

2 glasses granulated sugar

2 glasses water

2 teaspoons lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the dough according to the dough for the baklava recipe.

Place the dough pieces on each other on a wooden board.

Cut these pieces according to the size of the tray where they will be cooked.

Grease the tray lightly and place one layer of dough over.

Pour ½ tablespoon melted margarine evenly over the dough.

Place only half of the pieces of dough on the tray so that there is one layer of dough and margarine over that.

When half of the dough is used up, sprinkle ground walnuts over.

Over the walnuts place another layer of dough, spread some margarine, then another layer of dough, continue until all the pieces of dough are used.

Cut the pieces of dough into the shape of baklava, place in a moderately heated oven and cook for an hour until the color of the baklavas turns golden brown.

Put granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice into a pan, melt the Sugar over moderate heat and boil for about 15 minutes until the mixture becomes syrup.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes, brush with butter.

GastronomyMay 19, 2017May 19, 2017

Ramadan recipes : Sogan Dolma

INGREDIENTS

2-3 red onions (try to pick large ones — the recipe called for regular onions, I chose to use red ones)

⅓ lb ground meat (beef or lamb)

¼ cup rice

1½ tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp red pepper paste (if you cannot find it, use tomato paste)

⅓ cup crushed dried sumac

1 tsp dried mint flakes

1 tsp oregano leaves

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp or more crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup hot water

salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut the bottom parts of onions ¼ inch and peel.

Boil them until soft, but not too soft. Rinse and let cool down.

Squeeze each one to get every single layer. You will be stuffing those layers. If slippery, use a clean kitchen towel to grip and squeeze.

Wash rice in plenty water and rinse.

Soak sumac in hot water for 15 minutes and drain. Save the water.

Heat butter in a frying pan.

Add pastes, spices, and salt. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Take the pan off the fire.

Add ground meat, rice, and sumac. Mix well.

Stuff onions with the mix and place them in a broad pot.

Pour in sumac water.

After it starts boiling, simmer covered on low for half an hour.

Serve hot with crusty bread.

We loved it, especially with yogurt.

GastronomyMay 19, 2017May 19, 2017

Delicious recipes for Ramadan-Japrak

INGREDIENTS

1 kg of mutton

2 kg of veal

100 g of rice

50 g of onion

1 egg

2 cloves of garlic

100 g of butter or cooking oil

250 ml of double cream

pepper

salt

fine chopped parsley

100 grapevine leaves (collard greens may also be used)

beef stock

INSTRUCTIONS

Boil the grapevine leaves for 20 minutes in salty water.

Drain the leaves and leave to cool.

Melt the butter in the frying pan and then fry garlic and parsley and add it to the meet, rice, egg, pepper, paprika and salt.

Mix it thoroughly and gradually add 100ml of cold water.

Fill the grapevine leaves with the mixture creating small cylindrical parcels.

Fill the dish tightly with the parcels and then add beef stock until all the parcels are covered with it.

Cook slowly for few hours.

Serve with its own stock and double cream.

Goes well with boiled potatoes.

Out&AboutMay 19, 2017May 19, 2017

15 Children’s Books about Ramadan and Eid

For over one billion Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is a special time of fasting, praying, giving and togetherness. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it begins with the appearance of the new moon. The month of Ramadan is also a wonderful time for children to learn more about Islam and its traditions – the books on this list are a good start!

My First Ramadan
by Karen Katz

“Look! There is the new moon in the sky.” An adorable little Muslim boy is excited that Ramadan is about to begin. This year he wants to fast like the grown-ups! With simple words and colourful illustrations, My First Ramadan is a wonderful first introduction to Ramadan for the youngest readers. ~ Toddlers

It’s Ramadan, Curious George
by H. A. Rey

George is excited to be celebrating Ramadan with his friend Kareem and his family. Together they make gift baskets to donate to those in need, enjoy the evening celebration and the special treats, and celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan. It’s Ramadan, Curious George is a playful rhyming board book with fun tabs, perfect for all children who celebrate Ramadan, and for those who are learning about it for the first time! ~ Toddlers

Raihanna’s First Time Fasting
by Qamaer Hassan

Raihanna’s First Time Fasting is a sweet story about a little girl’s first Ramadan. Little Raihanna learns the meaning of Ramadan, why her family fasts and how important it is to help her community whenever she can. Includes an activity page and a definition page. ~ Preschool

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
by Hena Khan

“Red is the rug / Dad kneels on to pray, / facing toward Mecca, / five times a day.” With the most stunning illustrations and simple, informative text, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is a wonderful introduction to the world of Islam, celebrating traditions like Ramadan and Eid.for even the youngest readers. ~ Preschool

Under the Ramadan Moon
by Sylvia Whitman

“We wait for the moon. / We watch for the moon. / We watch for the Ramadan moon.” With lyrical text and luminous pastel illustrations, Under the Ramadan Moon warmly depicts a Muslim family as they pray, fast and help those in need. Includes a detailed note about Ramadan. ~ Preschool

Once Upon a Ramadan
by D.N. Hockey

Three siblings experience Ramadan together with their stuffed animals. When they bake cookies, Monkey, Puppy, and Fox get messy and need a bath. When they collect presents for children in need, Puppy falls asleep in the bag. In the end their mother is very proud of them: “Ramadan is about thinking of others and that is exactly what they did.” With bright illustrations and a playful storyline, Once Upon a Ramadan appeals to children everywhere. ~ Preschool

Ilyas & Duck & FANTASTIC FESTIVAL OF EID-AL-FITR
by Omar Khawaja

“There is an Eid for every nation”. The book starts with this saying of the Prophet Muhammad, and thus dedicates some pages to two traditions of other major religions: Christmas and Hanukkah. Ilyas and Duck are preparing for Eid-al-Fitr to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Duck starts out by bringing a christmas tree and a menorah but Ilyas explains to him that those are for their Christian and Jewish friends’ celebrations. Ilyas & Duck: Fantastic Festival of Eid-al-Fitr is a delightful picture book about the fun and excitement of Eid. ~ Preschool

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story
by Hena Khan

A 7-year-old Pakistani American girl experiences the month of Ramadan with her family, from fasting to special meals, from distributing food at the mosque to celebrating The Night of the Moon and Eid. With rich illustrations in the style of Islamic art, Night of the Moon is a beautiful window into modern Muslim culture and its traditions. Includes glossary. ~ Elementary School

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story
by Reem Faruqi

Lailah’s family recently moved to the US from Abu Dhabi. When Ramadan begins, she is excited to participate in the fasting for the first time but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she won’t be eating lunch with them. With help from the school librarian and her teacher, Lailah finds a way to overcome her fears and makes new friends who respect her beliefs. Beautifully illustrated with full-page watercolour pictures, Lailah’s Lunchbox is a gentle story about feeling different, friendship and faith. ~ Elementary School

The White Nights of Ramadan
by Maha Addasi

When Noor sees the almost-full moon rise in Kuwait, she knows it is time to prepare for Girgian, a mid-Ramadan celebration observed mostly in the Arabian Gulf states. Noor and her brothers make candy to share with the children in the neighborhood, and decorate canvas bags, hoping to fill them with treats when they go from house to house, dressed in traditional clothes. With engaging illustrations, The White Nights of Ramadan underlines the true meaning of Ramadan: Self-improvement, community and sharing. ~ Elementary School

Zachariah’s Perfect Day
by Farrah Qazi

Zachariah’s Perfect Day follows a 12-year-old Muslim boy through the first day of Ramadan. With colourful illustrations printed on a background of Islamic patterns, this beautiful book explains the traditional routines of Muslim families during Ramadan, from fasting and praying to preparing the Iftar meal and giving to those in need. Includes recipes for Parathas and Deep-Fried Oreos. ~ Elementary School

A Party in Ramadan
by Asma Mobin-Uddin

Leena has a dilemma: Too young to fast each day, she decides to fast each Friday instead, but then she receives an invitation to a party that happens to fall on a Friday. Leena decides to go to the party, but not eat or drink. But watching her friends enjoy lemonade and cake is tough – will she be able to keep her fast? A Party in Ramadan is a charming story about a young Muslim girl wanting to do the right thing. ~ Elementary School

Ramadan Moon
by Na’ima Robert

The Holy Month of Ramadan begins with a whisper, a prayer and a wish. Written and illustrated by Muslims, Ramadan Moon is a lyrical and inspiring picture book that captures the wonder and joy of this special holiday from a child’s perspective.The enchanting story is complemented by appealing multimedia illustrations. ~ Preschool, Elementary School

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr
by Lisa Bullard

Rashad is the first one in his family to spot the new moon. He tries to be good the whole month of Ramadan, while learning about the many aspects of this special holiday. When it is time for Eid, he enjoys the celebrations together with his family. With detailed comment boxes, Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is suitable children who don’t know much about Muslim faith and its traditions yet. ~ Elementary School

Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle
by Reza Jalali

9-year-old Shirin follows the stages of the moon throughout Ramadan. She desperately wants to fast like the rest of her Persian American family, including her older brother, and is thrilled when she is finally allowed to do so for half a day. When she discovers her smug brother secretly eating, she decides not to expose Ali but help him instead, acting in the true spirit of Ramadan. Moon Watchers is a moving and authentic story about traditions and sibling rivalry. ~ Elementary School