Anisa Karolia’s Expert Guide to Quick and Easy Ramadan Meals

Ah, the air fryer. Not only are these versatile modern-day sous chefs a win when it comes to avoiding large quantities of oil, they also make quick work of iftar classics. “In Ramadan, I use the air fryer for most of my savouries, like samosas, spring rolls and pastries,” Karolia shares, adding “it’s my go-to gadget.” Want the same delicious flavours delivered in double-time? Follow Karolia’s lead - “all you have to do is spray samosas or spring rolls with a little oil and air fry for 15 minutes. It’s as simple as that.”

It’s time to meet one of the unsung heroes of Ramadan dining – airtight containers. Charmed, we’re sure. With the assistance of these trusty kitchen staples, you can prepare everything from suhoor breakfast muffins to pistachio shortbread iftar treats ahead of time. For the true meal planner aficionado, you can even soak beans overnight to reduce your cooking time or prepare large batches of samosas and then freeze them, ready to be defrosted and enjoyed when required.

It’s dinner, done easy, and the rewards far outweigh the organisationrequired. “Preparing ahead of time definitely takes a load off your mind,” Karolia says. "You have time to do other things like praying, connecting to God, time to rest.” Get started with Karolia’s oh-so pretty rose and pistachio shortbread –they’re beautiful, buttery and they’ll keep for up to a week in an airtight container. Read on for the recipe.

With the right mindset and a healthy dose of creativity, yesterday’s discarded leftovers can easily become today’s showstopping iftar. In The Ramadan Family Cookbook, Karolia not only encourages the use of leftovers but celebrates them with recipes like her ‘use-it-up' pasta. You too can revive day-old ingredients – think cookedpeppers, tomatoes and carrots –with dried herbs, quality olive oil and the sensational sizzle of chilli flakes and garlic paste.

Whether your to-do list appears to be growing of its own accord or you’re facingthe unexpected arrival of your in-laws with hungry little ones around, sometimes the age-old balance between having the best of intentions and the permanent ticking of the clock can be an overwhelming combination. Karolia can relate, sharing “we all have days where time is just not on your side, and you’ve had a busy day or not enough sleep”. Enter Karolia’s 15-minute wonders.

With these quickfire crowd pleasers, speed has met its quality flavour match. Take, for example, her tempting medley of life-affirming heat and the visual grandeur of king prawns with Karolia’s chilli and garlic prawn recipe – expect big, bold flavours, minimal preparation time required.

Sharing is caring – this saying is not only a delight for rhyme enthusiasts everywhere, but it’s also the perfect mentality for iftar and suhoor. As Karolia encourages, “it’s important that everyone contributes to preparing the food. Not only does this lighten the workload and allow more time for relaxation and prayer for everyone, but it also promotes teamwork and shared responsibility for the well-being of the entire family.”

If you’re looking to get little ones excited about taking part, opt for Karolia’s decidedly cheerful Ramadan chicken moons. Between their eye-catching crescent shape and the messy – and merry –delights of rolling out fresh dough, this recipe is sure to satisfy from start to finish. After all, learning new life skills and chicken with exceptional crunch factor is a delightful combination.