Evenings during Ramadan are special, but at the same time, they can also feel rushed and busy. After an entire day of fasting, without a drop of water or a morsel of food, the last thing anyone would want to do is chop, fry, and make meals all from scratch and all together. That is where smart planning makes a huge difference. A little thoughtful Ramadan meal prep done before in the day, or even weeks before, can turn chaotic kitchens into a calm place. Think opening the fridge to see marinated meats that just need to be cooked, fillings prepared for parathas well in advance, fruits chopped, and dough in the box. Instead of multitasking in a rush, all you need to do is simply assemble, re-heat, and serve.
Make-ahead meal prep during Ramadan is not about cooking and keeping everything in advance, but it is about easing the stress when energy levels are down. With a few simple efforts, you can spend less time standing in the kitchen and more time relaxing, indulging in prayers and enjoying the first sip of water at iftar with family without feeling tired.
Chicken Keema Samosa Filling
Instead of hustling and rushing at sunset, make the keema filling in the morning or a day before, as it can be used for up to 2-3 days. Cook the minced chicken with finely chopped onions, ginger-garlic paste, spices, and coriander until the mixture turns completely dry. Let it cool down, then store the filling in an airtight box and keep it in the freezer, not on the door of the fridge. When it's iftar time, you only need to fill the samosa sheets and fry or air-fry them. You can even pre-shape the samosas and freeze them in batches. In this way, the meal prep will feel easy, and you will feel calm and less stressed.
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Marinate The Chicken
In a bowl, whisk some yoghurt, lemon juice, chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, and salt. Coat the chicken pieces with the marinade and keep them in the refrigerator overnight. The longer it is kept for marination, the deeper the flavour will be. During iftar, simply grill the chicken pieces on a pan or in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. It will get done while you prep other things and set up the dining table. What you get in return is juicy, flavourful chicken. Pair it up with salad or roti, and dinner will feel almost ready without you having to rush around.
Chopped Fruit & Chaat Base
For an easy make-ahead meal prep, wash, peel and chop fruits such as apples, papaya, and pomegranate beforehand. Store them separately in an airtight box in the refrigerator. If you are planning to make chaat, boil potatoes and chickpeas in advance and keep them refrigerated. For iftar, simply take these out of the fridge, mix everything with chaat masala, lemon juice, chutneys and other preferred ingredients, and you are done. This process will keep the fruits fresh and prevent them from turning soggier. Instead of cutting fruit while you already feel hungry as well as exhausted, all you have to do is simply assemble and serve, making your chore easier.
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Keep Soup Base Stored In Fridge
Make a large batch of tomato, lentil, or chicken soup base in advance during the week. Cook the soups thoroughly, let them cool down, and store them in portions in the fridge. Do not add cream or the final garnishes until you are reheating. When you set up the iftar spread, warm the soups gently, adjust the seasonings if required, and in the end, garnish with herbs or butter. Having soups ready well in advance means one comforting dish is always there if you do not want to have a large spread for iftari. It saves you from cooking from scratch every day and guarantees there’s something warm to break the fast with.
Dough Prep For Parathas
Knead dough for parathas or rolls in advance and store them in an airtight box with a light coating of oil in the fridge. You can even half-cook parathas and pile them with butter paper between the layers. When it's time, simply roast or warm them thoroughly. This eliminates the pressure of kneading the dough when you are busiest. Warm, fresh parathas can be served quickly, making the meal feel whole without any additional stress. It appears to be a small prep step, but it makes a huge difference.
(Image credit: Freepik)