10 Sahoor Recipes You Need To Try Out This Ramadan

By Suhanah Khamis | 27, Apr, 2020
10 Sahoor Recipes You Need To Try Out This Ramadan

Ramadan is here and we can't deny that sometimes, we can't think of what to eat during Sahoor. As we will be fasting from dawn to dusk, we need food that can keep us energized throughout the day. It can also help you repress the feeling of hunger and thirst. With this, we need to choose the right kind of food for Sahoor, and most importantly a well-balanced meal.

And when a well-balanced meal comes across one's mind, you might think that it is a hassle to prepare. How to ensure that our food is right but at the same time, fast and easy to prepare? Here, we have 10 Sahoor recipes that you can try this Ramadan!

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1. Overnight Oats

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Oats can retain your energy throughout the day as it slows down the release of energy. You might think that eating oats on its own may not really be that appetizing. But hey, oats are not necessarily bland when you can whip them up to overnight oats! Usually, you will need to boil the oats to enjoy them. On the other hand, for overnight oat, you would have to soak them overnight so that you could enjoy them the following day. You only need these 3 ingredients to start off the base, oats, milk and sweetener! The rest of the ingredients are up to your preferences. You can be creative when preparing your overnight oats. We recommend you to try the strawberry cheesecake overnight oats!

  • Oats (of course!)
  • Milk (If you are lactose intolerant, you can always include dairy alternatives like almond or soy. Adding milk can have a more filling effect to your meal.)
  • Sweetener (You may also substitute them with either honey or maple syrup, depending on your preference) 
  • Strawberries 
  • Cream Cheese

Alternatively, you may try the Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats.

  • Oats (of course!)
  • Milk (We recommend almond milk for this recipe!)
  • Sweetener (You may also substitute them with either honey or maple syrup, depending on your preference) 
  • Peanut Butter 
  • Bananas

Instructions: 

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Transfer it into a jar.
  2. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and refrigerate it overnight. 

Simple right? You can be creative in creating your own overnight oats. Throw in some of your favorite fruits, some chocolate chips or even nuts. It's all up to you to decide!

 

2. Breakfast Toast

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Toast is always fast and easy to prepare. Don't worry if you don't own a toaster. You can toast the bread on the grill till crispy and add in the toppings after. To stick to a healthy and well-balanced meal, use whole grain or whole wheat bread. 

Similar to the overnight oat, there are endless combinations to top your toast. Here are some ideas for you to kick start your Sahoor: 

  • Peanut Butter and Banana Toast: Peanut butter is rich in protein, while banana contains resistant starch. This can keep you full. Drizzle some honey on top to add some sweetness to the toast.
  • Scrambled Egg Toast: The easiest to make is the scrambled egg toast; it's one of the best toppings for toast. You can add sliced tomato, cucumber, and sprinkle some cheddar cheese, whichever you fancy on top of the scrambled eggs!

 

3. Breakfast Salad

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Salad is not always about the greens and, trust me, breakfast salad is something that you would want to have for Sahoor. Apart from a healthy bowl of greens, it is mixed with breakfast ingredients like Turkey bacon (from Halal source), eggs, and fruits. Try these ideas to get you started.

Instructions for your Salad Bowl:

  • Mix kale, onion, and tomatoes in a bowl.
  • Pour vinaigrette dressing or, you can make your own by mixing lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, honey and, salt.
  • Top it with a half-boiled egg and crispy sliced bacon.

Alternatively, you may create a Salmon Salad Bowl:

  • Mix your greens with smoked salmon in a bowl.
  • Add in cucumber and onion.
  • You can also also add in avocado if you like.
  • For a simple dressing, mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar and some ground pepper.

 

4. Mushroom Soup

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I am personally a fan of mushroom and if you are too, this is something you could try to make for Sahoor. Mushroom contains plenty of nutrients and vitamins which we need in our diet. You can enjoy this bowl of mushroom soup with freshly toasted bread or pour them on top of some pasta.

Ingredients:

  • Mushroom: Button or chestnut mushroom works the best.
  • Herbs: Thyme and parsley. This is optional but it adds to the flavor.
  • Cream: Heavy cream adds to its richness but you may alternate to regular milk too.
  • Flour: To add to its thick texture.
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Chicken bouillon
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Heat some butter in a pot and add in onion and garlic. Stir until aromatic. Add in the mushrooms and a pinch of herbs and allow it to cook. Next, sprinkle some flour and mix well. Pour in the chicken bouillon stock into the pot and bring it to boil. Sprinkle some salt and pepper and leave it to simmer. Stir the soup until thickened and add in the cream for the final touch. Serve in a bowl and garnish with herbs.

 

5. Smoothies

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Smoothies may sound thirst-quenching but, not all smoothies are. Some may contain excessive sugar that may open up your appetite all the day. However, not to worry as we'll be sharing a healthy smoothie recipe. It's easy to make smoothies. All you need is a blender and the ingredients, dump it all inside and blend on high speed until it smoothens. Remember to add crushed ice too if you prefer your smoothies cold. These ideas might be a great Iftar dessert too!

To make smoothies texture like a pro, do add in these ingredients:

  • Banana: Due to its starch content, it makes a perfect thickener for the smoothies. Not to worry if you don't like the taste of banana. You can always adjust the measurements, or choose another fruit.
  • Sweetener: As we try to keep the smoothies healthy, how about substituting sweetener with dates? Apart from it being naturally sweet, it is also rich in nutrients and a quick source of energy.
  • Dairy alternate: Smoothies go well with dairy alternates like almond milk or coconut milk.

On top of all the ingredients stated above, you can tweak your smoothies to your liking. For berries lover, you can add in strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries in. Or if you feel tropical, you could try to blend together pineapple, kiwi, mango and carrot juice.


6. Fried Rice

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For those who need a heavier Sahoor meal or rice is your go-to, preparing a plate of fried rice is never a hassle. You can also skip the side dishes as you can add plenty of ingredients to your fried rice.

A simple plate of fried rice may require these few ingredients:

  • Steamed rice, leftover rice is the best.
  • Some protein: chicken breast, shrimp or egg whichever you fancy.
  • Frozen mixed vegetables.
  • Seasoning: soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper and salt.
  • Minced garlic
  • Cooking oil

Instructions:

Once you heat up the pan, add in the minced garlic and stir fry till aromatic. Add in the chicken and shrimp followed by the mixed vegetable. Once the chicken and shrimp are half-cooked, add in the rice and stir well with the ingredients. Add in the seasoning to finish off the cooking. If you are planning to add egg, push the fried rice to the side of the pan and pour the beaten egg in between. Continue to stir fry and mix the egg well with the rice. Your fried rice is ready to be served!


7. Oyakodon

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Feeling like having Japanese cuisine for Sahoor? We've got you covered! Another easy meal idea involving rice. A classic Oyakodon meal contains chicken, egg, and onion simmered in dashi (soup stock) and soy-based sauce.

To make a simple bowl of Oyakodon, here's what you need:

  • Steamed rice
  • Skinless and boneless chicken thigh
  • Onion
  • Egg
  • Soy sauce
  • Chicken stock + 1 cup of water
  • Brown sugar and honey (optional but best substitute for the sweetness of a rice wine usually found in Oyakodon)
  • Salt (to taste)

Instructions:

Slice the onion and cut the chicken into bite-sized. Mix soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, and honey into a bowl. Ensure that the sugar is dissolved and bring the mixture to boil in a pan together with the onion and salt. Add in the chicken and bring it to low heat. Let it simmer until the chicken is cooked. Next, pour in the egg and stir once. Let the egg barely set and remove from heat. Scoop out and serve on rice. You can add nori (seaweed) or even green onion for garnishing.


8. Beef Bowl

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Another great source of protein is beef. Making a beef bowl is easy, just like the previous two meals. To make it a healthier choice, we will be using brown rice in this recipe.

Ingredients: 

  • Lean ground beef
  • Cooked brown rice
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Sesame oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Crushed red pepper

Instructions:

Cook the beef on medium heat, stirring and crumbling the pieces until brown. Drain excess grease and add in the garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Stir until fragrant. Next, pour in soy sauce and sprinkle some crushed red pepper according to your spicy preference. Cook until the sauce is absorbed into the beef. Serve over cooked brown rice and you may choose to sprinkle some green onion for garnishing.

 

9. Rice with Egg and Soy Sauce (Nasi Kicap Telur)

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Some of you may be familiar with this classic Sahoor meal! Simple, tasty and definitely filling! Simply fry an egg, put it on top of your white rice (you can substitute this with brown rice for a healthier meal) and add in Soy Sauce according to taste. Easy right? And you'll be surprised at how tasty this meal can be, it will definitely open up your appetite during the dawn and keep you full throughout the day. 


10. Supplements

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Even though you have been eating healthily and staying hydrated, this doesn't mean that you are supplying all of the needed vitamins to your body. Supplements can also help to fill in the nutrients gap. 

However, not all supplements benefit you when you are fasting. Some may create complications on an empty stomach so be sure to check first before consuming any. Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C are suitable and can be beneficial for consumption during the fasting period. Alternatively, you may consume fruits which contain Vitamin C. 

There you have it, 10 Sahoor Recipes that you can try out during Ramadan! They're tasty and simple to make, and most importantly, they can keep you energized throughout the day. Don't forget to try them! 

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Suhanah is always traveling to find inspiration and tranquility. She works on shift based, writes during her free time and loves art.

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