Assalamo alykum. Hope you all are having good Ramadan. Alhamdolillah it is 5th Ramadan and we have fallen into a routine. Today I have with me Amira from niletorockiescuisine. She is from Egypt but now resides in Colorado. Her blog Niletorockies has all the recipes from Nile valley & North Africa.  A request to all the readers to pray for her mother in law who is battling with cancer. May Allah do what is best for her. Ameen. Over to you Amira.

Ramadan Mubarak to all of you who observe this holy month, may Allah (SWT) accept our good deeds and forgive us all. When I was approached by Huma to guest post at her eye catching space, I could not say no, although I am super duper busy, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to show her readers the scrumptious Egyptian cuisine, and the goodies that comes out of it specially during Ramadan. There is an abundant recipes that I can share with you from where I came from (Egypt) , where I was born ( Saudi Arabia) and where I’ve lived ( The Middle East). I was really very confused, I wanted to share an elegant, fancy dish with dozens of Middle East flavors – think saffron and cardamoms- drizzled in mouth drooling syrup and heavenly packed with butter, I wanted to share something really festive , but then my motto is to simplify recipes and make it as user friendly – in terms of materials and time spent in the kitchen – as possible.

I’ve been having a lot on my plate recently, my mother in law was diagnosed with lung cancer – she is a breast cancer survivor, and she is here in US seeking medical help. She is a courageous woman and I know she will, ISA, survive and beat this beast with her strong faith and will power.

I wanted to honor this amazing lady in this post as well, so I decided to share this simple authentic Egyptian recipe of dried fruit compote, that I’ve seen her making during the last 17 years and hoping I will still be watching her making it for the coming 20 years as well. I’ve never had khoshaf as good as the one she is making, the main secret is not to add sugar as these dried fruits have enough sugar in them and while they soak ,they will release the sugar to the water making it super delicious, so really no need for more sugar. Also sometimes she adds orange blossom water which lends this recipe a new very Middle Eastern flavor.I hope you’ll like this recipe and try it this Ramadan, and I do hope that you mention us in your prayers, may Allah grant us all health and happiness.  Enjoy!!

Khoshaf – A delicious Authentic Egyptian starter for the month of Ramadan.

Khoshaf, a very enjoyable, very satisfying dried fruit and nuts dish, that is filling and energy boosting after a long fasting hot summer day. This is an Egyptian authentic dish during the holy month of Ramadan, recently I’ve seen some people serve it with yogurt or ice cream for a stunning dessert, but traditionally it is made plain and really, it does not need either, it is cold, sweet, luscious and above all easy, life cannot get any better :).

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup dried apricot.
2. 1/2 cup dried figs.
3. 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins.
4. 1 cup of dried pitted prunes (plums).
5. 5 cup hot water or to cover.

Optional

1. 1 Tablespoon sugar.
2. 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water.
3. Nuts of your choice, preferably almonds and pine nuts.

Instructions

1. Cut the fruits to equal size, I like keeping the plums whole.
2. In a bowl, add all the dried fruits, then cover with hot water.
3. Add in the sugar if using and the orange blossom water.
4. Add the nuts and mix everything well together.
5. Chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours at least before serving.
6. Scoop in glasses and serve cold.
7. Enjoy!!

To know more about Amira, you can connect with her on Blog, FB , Instagarm , Pinterest