Ramadan, is one of the sacred and important moments of every Muslim.

It is the month in which it is be­lieved that the Holy Qur’an was sent down from heaven “as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation.

During the ninth month on the Mus­lim calendar they observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset.

Muslims who are fasting are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours.

During suhoor or sehri, components of a balanced meal can help your blood sugar remain stable and give you energy.

Foods for breaking the fast easily are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, healthy fat – all of these are important to give your body all the nutrients it needs after a long day of fasting.

It is also important to include fruits like watermelon, mango, grapes, dates, cashew, sugarcane, oranges and some protein supplement like eggs, khebab, meat, milk and dairy product.

Some drink milk to break the fast. Others use Tamarind, Sobolo, Lamugin etc.

For the main meals, one could consider rice and stew, tuo zaafi and ayoyo, banku and okro stew, omo tuo and groundnut soup or palm nut soup.

Ingredients

– 200 grams of jute mallow leaves

-20 grams of dawadawa

– 100 grams of fresh tomato

– 10 grams of fresh hot pepper

– 50 grams onion

– 45 fish powder

-9 grams of bouillon tablet

– 3 tablespoonful of saltpetre

-Salt to taste

Preparation

• Wash jute mallow with salt added to water (brine)

• Chop/pound jute mallow

• Grind hot pepper (dry or fresh) and tomatoes

• Chop onion into pieces

• Pound dawadawa

• Pound dry fish

Preparation

• Put water on fire to boil

• Add pounded dawadawa and allow to boil

• Add grounded tomatoes and hot pepper

• Add powdered hot pepper and chopped onion and allow to boil

• In a separate pot, steam jute mallow with little water

• Add saltpetre to make it slimy and steam for about 5-10 minutes

• Add steamed jute mallow to the mixture

• Add salt to taste

• Add water (if too thick) and allow mixture to boil

• Serve when cooked

Serve with tuo zaafi, banku, kenkey or eba.