Asalaamu Alaikum Everyone

Alhamdulilah already a week has past, can you believe its Day 8 of Ramadhaan! May Allah SWT make us use our time wisely & make us gain utmost benefit from HIS blessing’s in the next coming weeks Insha Allah Ameen.

So I know, I said I was going to post the more spiritual posts during this month, but really we gotta eat to live…Especially in Ramadhaan, I simply can not let you guys miss out on my Suhoor speciality & really its a bowl of happiness that even the hubster’s will love! One of my man’s Favs!

With breakfast out of the way, Sehri counts as the first & most important meal of the day. People sometimes misunderstand the importance of Sehri & often think its a time to fill the tummy, forgetting the most important aspect of Suhoor is the time to spiritually feed the soul.

The recipe that I share today is not only enjoyed as a morning meal but also one to indulge in during Iftaar #thesavouryrevolution (for those who really mean healthy business at iftaar). The #Dayca doesn’t only count as a Ramadhaan type of food, it also serves as a fantastic appetizer before a meal during anytime of the day.

A person waking up for Sehri gains reward for it:  Ibn Umar RA relates: The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Verily Allah and His Malaa’ikah send Mercy upon those who eat ‘Sehri’”

Rasulullah SAW said: ‘The difference between our fasting and that of the Ahlul-Kitaab (Jews and Christians) lies in our partaking of food at “Sehri” which they do not.”

Prophet Mohammed SAW also said, “In three things, are the great blessings: in “Jama’ah” (company), in eating “Thareed” and in “Sehri”. In his commentary on “Sahih Bukhari”, Ibne Hajar has mentioned various reasons for the blessedness of “Sehri”:

• Make intention its for the pleasure of Allah SWT as well as the ‘Sunnah’ is followed.
• Through “Sehri”, we differentiate ourselves from the ways of Ahlul-Kitaab.
• It provides strength for “Ibaadah”.
• It promotes greater sincerity in “Ibaadah”.
• It aids in elimination of bad temper, which normally comes about as result of hunger.
• ‘Sehri’ is the time when prayers are accepted.
• At the time of ‘Sehri’, one gets the opportunity to remember Allah, makes Dhikr and lifts up the hand to Him in prayer.
• Sehri is also at the same time of Tahajud making it easy for us to take benefit during this time when Almighty Allah comes down to the closest sky for us. The Prophet SAW said: “The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him? SubhanAllah look at the beauty of Allah SWT.

Tips for eating the right stuff during suhoor:

• Sehri should be a wholesome, a moderate meal that is not over-filling and provides enough energy for many hours. Try to eat high-fibre foods and complex carbohydrates such as grains and pulses. Your body takes longer to break down and absorb these foods, so they will fuel you better during your hours of fasting.
• Sehri should comprise foods such as eggs, grains, dairy products and meat along with fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, fruit juice and nuts.
• Do not skip Sehri as it is an important meal that would help you sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Many individuals don’t feel hungry early morning and tend to skip Sehri. Setting the table for Sehri is believed to be effective in improving the appetite.
• Eating a very heavy meal to fight hunger experienced later in the day is an absolute no-no. Heavy meals at Sehri impose a heavy burden on the stomach, leading to indigestion, heartburn and bloating.
• The most important meal of the day which supplies your body with the energy & nutrients it needs to worship Allah with ease.

One of my favourite things to make for Suhoor is, “DAYCA” I call it that.  I named it with the letters I used for the ingredients. I used dates, 1 apple, yoghurt, coconut & almonds. Hence the name and with the addition of a dollop of yoghurt at the end. A bowl you will be sure to tick all the boxes of nutritional value. Packed with wholesomeness of Calcium, Fibre, Vitamins, Protein, Antioxidants, Fruits & what really works for me is that it tastes so good too! OMG!

Its sweet, its crunchy & nope it’s not 1 of those diet kind foods, even thou its super healthy. It’s fantastic for the entire family. In short its straight forward Day-Care & just the right amount of tender, love & care your body needs all in one. Really it doesn’t get an easier than this! Ultra easy & don’t stop there! Use your discretion, experiment & play around with any fruit of your liking and nuts that you enjoy. Change the letters around & name it according to whatever name you’d like 😉

The DAYCA Recipe

Prep time: literally 3 mins

Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients:

1 red apple cored

40gr of almonds

40gr of flaked /fresh coconut

40gr dates

3 Tablespoons yoghurt for topping

Method:

1. Place the dates, almonds, apple and coconut in a food processor and process by quick pulses. You just want to break it up into small chunks, but don’t over process.
2. Scoop the mixture in a bowl & add dollops of yoghurt & it’s as simple as that.

The perfect Sehri even if you not a morning person, you will surely get it all this way!

Bon Appetit!

Chef Tasneem Saith