Come Celebrate Hari Raya!

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is one of the most significant Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It’s a month-long period of fasting and spiritual reflection, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (worship). This year Hari Raya falls on April 10.

Of course like any other festival, the occasion is an opportunity for Muslims to come together and celebrate with family and friends, and food is always the central theme at the table!

In Singapore, the menu would include dishes like biryani, rendang, ketupat, satay and more. But let's embark on a culinary journey and explore some of the traditional dishes served in different countries to mark the occasion.

Rendang Ayam (chicken): A popular dish in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, the cooking involves tender chicken pieces simmered with a spice paste and coconut milk until the sauce is reduced. At this point, the remaining sauce is caramelised around the chicken along with roasted coconut to create an flavourful coating around each piece of chicken. You can easily replicate the dish using mutton or beef instead of chicken.

Lemang (Ketupat): A must-have food on the menu during Raya period. These days, some prefer to buy instead of making it themselves. It’s essentially coconut milk, sticky rice, and a little salt wrapped in fragrant banana leaves, which are stuffed into hollow bamboo sticks and roasted over a fire. The banana leaves stop the rice from sticking to the bamboo tube. Lemang is usually served with shredded beef or chicken.

Nalli Nihari: This traditional Mughlai stew is made by slow-cooking bone-in mutton pieces (usually shank) and marrow bones with a myriad of spices. The marrow drops from the bones and is mixed with the gravy, giving off a rich flavour while the mutton turns soft and juicy when done. You have to be patient though as it takes about 4 hours to cook. But it’s well worth the wait!

Bolani: A traditional Afghan dish, this is a flatbread that’s stuffed with filling like creamy potatoes, lots of green onion, fresh herbs, and warm spices. The crispy, fluffy bread is packed with so much flavour that you simply cannot resist a bite. And if you’re a little more adventurous, dip it in some yogurt and spicy chutney!

Sheer Kurma: A sweet dessert enjoyed by Muslims in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh during Hari Raya. It’s a rich vermicelli pudding made with milk and dry fruits such as dried dates, pistachios, almonds, cashews, raisins and chironji (a kind of nut). The literal translation of the dish is milk with dates.

Traditional kuih (cakes): You cannot miss the sweet treats and cookies that make up the feasting. Every household will serve the traditional pineapple tarts, kueh makmur (made from butter, ghee and flour), and almond london cookies (roasted almond in crunchy milky cookie) as well as new flavours like cornflakes and ondeh-ondeh made with pandan (screwpine leaf) infused dough and filled with Gula Melaka (palm sugar).

Have we whet your appetite yet? But do remember that while Hari Raya is a time of celebration, it’s also a time of indulgence and perhaps some unhealthy eating habits. To maintain a healthy lifestyle be sure to make mindful choices when it comes to food.

Tempting as it may be, try not to wipe out the entire tray of kuih! Eating moderately by controlling your portion sizes and choosing healthier options, and drinking more water are among the things you can choose to do while enjoying your meals.

To all Muslim celebrants, here’s wishing you and yours a very healthy and happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri!