After a day of fasting and immersion in spirituality, Iftar is that moment in the evening when the entire family comes together to share a wholesome, comfortable meal. What can bring elegance into the Iftar or the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan is a beautifully arranged grazing board which turns this family-style activity into a rather sophisticated spread. This Ramdan, instead of serving multiple courses, put together a grazing board for Iftar that is stress-free, practical and visually stunning.
Out of the several Iftar meals that will be organised during the month-long period of worship, a few can consist of such chic grazing boards which add a lot of aesthetic into your festive celebrations.
Begin With Essentials: Hydration And Energy
Putting together an Iftar grazing board can be a tricky affair. A lot of elements go into curating generous feasts for the evening meal. This means looking after multiple aspects related to flavour, health and nourishment. So, start building the Iftar grazing board with absolute basics.
Since the Iftar fast is traditionally broken with dates and water, arrange generous quantities of soft or stuffed dates on the platter. Fresh fruits like watermelon chunks or oranges will aid hydration. Arrange glasses of rose-infused or cucumber-infused water which rejuvenate the body after a day of fasting.
Light, Easy-To-Digest Snacks
Fasting provides a lot of respite to the stomach. So, include those snacks or light bites in the Iftar grazing board which slowly ease the tummy into digestion mode. Choose filling items that are nonetheless gentle on the stomach.
The grazing board can be lined with mini fruit chaat cups, cucumber and carrot sticks with fresh hummus or some boiled and lightly seasoned sprouts. These foods will provide fibre and energy without becoming too overwhelming or heavy. Avoid layering the grazing board with deep-fried foods that can leave you feeling greased-up right at the start of the meal.
Classic Iftar Favourites
All things elegant and artsy, the Iftar platter will still be incomplete until it is accentuated with some Ramadan classics. Delicious mutton cutlets or kebabs, khamiri roti pieces and small samosas can be placed on one side of the grazing board.
Craft multiple grazing boards while catering to a large family, yet keep the portions bite-sized so everyone can nibble on them gracefully as the evening gets underway. This is where family custom, comfort and tradition will meet elegance and charm. Build flavour into the festive vibe with bright sides like mint chutney and yoghurt dips.
Balance With Hearty Elements
When the Iftar meal is being served in the form of sophisticated grazing boards, ensure that there are some filling and hearty elements on the platter that will make-up a good dinner. Chicken tikka or paneer tikka cubes, haleem bowls, grilled vegetables and boiled eggs seasoned with paprika are some options.
These will add substance and satiety to the Iftar board, lending it a semblance of a proper dinner without really turning it into a stuffy spread. Dishes like mutton seekh kebabs or even slices of beguni or deep-fried eggplant will add a fulfilling, familial element to the grazing board.
Focus On Presentation And Flow
A key aesthetic which adds charm, elegance and simultaneously a feeling of comfort into the Iftar grazing board is a thoughtful arrangement. The board can carry dates and drinks at the centre, surrounded by colourful salads and fruits. Little bowls of dips can be arranged neatly along the fringes, decorated on the insides with all manner of fried goodies, kebabs, tikkas and assorted proteins.
Garnish the grazing board with mint, lime wedges or assorted aromatic herbs for the final chic and artsy finish. Prepare at least 2-3 such platters depending on the number of family members and guests gathering at the table for breaking the day-long fast.