Eid in the Square: 17th August 2013 (Review + Pics)

This Saturday just gone, I attended an Eid celebration in Trafalgar Square. There was a stage with a variety of guests and performers such as Adam Ali, Saif Adam and Darren Cheesman and a few others.

Stalls were also set up selling food from different cultures, they had Turkish Delight, Baklava, Koshari, smoothies, waffles, chicken satay, biryani etc. Huge crowds surrounded the food stalls, so it was a bit difficult to see everything that was on offer.
Having never tried Malaysian food before, we decided to go for the chicken satay (see pic below) which came with peanut sauce and (plain boiled) rice cubes. Although the flavour and seasoning of the chicken and peanut sauce was delicious, some parts of the chicken were pink so we didn't get to finish the dish. However, there was quite a bit of a crowd so they must have rushed to make the food and I'm sure if you were to go the their restaurant, they would ensure the food is cooked through properly.

As well as food stalls, there were stands selling Islamic books, costume jewellery, party handbags and itr.
Here are some pictures of the event:

Stage

Crowds of people and food stalls

Fountain

Costume Jewellery

Chicken satay with peanut sauce and rice cubes from Nur Muhammad stall

I purchased this lovely smelling purse/pocket spray

Cute illustrated children's book of stories from the Qur'an

OOTD: Eid fitr 2013 & Easy Henna Design

Long time no see!! I know it's kind of late, but I thought I'd do a quick Eid post. I've posted snippets of 2 outfits as well as a quick and simple henna design I did for all you novices out there new to henna. This design is easy peasy, give it a go!
Hope you all had a great Eid! x

Benefits of Fuller's Earth

Fuller's Earth (aka Multani Mitti) is a natural occurring clay. Its typical mineral content includes silica, alumina, lime, sapphire crystal, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and calcium oxide. Fuller’s earth facial masks reduce oil and remove impurities from skin, and as such, are highly recommended for people with acne problems, spots, and blemishes. Below are some benefits.

•  For Sun burn: usually extra exposure to sun gives dark and burnish skin , to heal such skin,  apply one tbsp of  rose water and fuller’s earth each, or you can also try with one bowl of 1 tomato juice with 1 tbsp of fuller’s earth for about 15 to 20 mints. (Avoid and wash immediately, if redness or burning sensation occurs).

• To remove blackheads: not many of us know that fullers earth can actually dig out the white and black heads.  Mix 4 ounces of powdered almonds, 2 ounces of glycerin soap and one ounce of multani mitti in a ¼ cup of water. Rub this scrub on your cheek bones, nose and chin in circular motion. Massage for 20 mints and wash off. Exfoliation removes blocked pores.

•  For prickly heat: it is also an excellent reliever from prickly problem.  Prepare a paste by soaking 2 to 3 tbsp of clay into a cup of chilled water and remove after 20 mints of application.

For dull and damaged hair: Moisten your hair with warm water first and massage it  with few drops of sesame or apricot oil and wrap a plastic cap on your head and a towel for about one hour prior any application. Next step: apply a mixture of 2 tbsp of Fullers Earth to your scalp for 30 mints.  Rinse your hair throughout with warm water.  Shampoo mild.  Apply a liberal amount of refined oil to your scalp to dampen the roots.  Towel -dry the scalp.

• Treating split ends: Massage your hair with few drops of olive oil and leave it for 2 hours.  After that steam up with hot towel wrap for at least half an hour. Wash using mixture of fullers earth  and curd 1 tbsp each.  Wash off with your regular shampoo next day. * use butter milk for oily hair.

These are just some of the benefits of Fullers Earth, there were way more that I came across. Also, this product is available in Asda!

Source

Iftar

Strawberry and banana fruit salad

Pakora and lamb samosas

Lamb Stuffed Peppers with mashed potato and mixed olives

What did you have for iftar?

Borek

Here is my recipe for borek stuffed with feta, spinach and potato. Great for iftar with a salad.

Delicious meal idea for ramadan: Spinach and feta borek. Yum!

Ingredients:

Puff pastry or filo pastry

Potato (large)

Feta 1 - 1 and 1/2 block

Cheddar Cheese 100g

Spinach leaves (or if using frozen, saute with onion)

Onion x 1

Chilli flakes x 1/2 tsp

Paprika x 1tsp

Black pepper x 1/4 tsp

Olive oil

Egg x5

Butter

Yogurt

Method:

• Take pastry out of fridge/freezer to thaw

• Chop and boil the potato in salted water.

• Meanwhile, sauté an onion with some olive oil.

• Once boiled, drain and roughly chop into smaller pieces and add the onion, feta, spinach leaves and season with black pepper, paprika and chilli flakes. No need to put salt as the cheese contains salt. Taste to see if it’s okay and then add 4 eggs and combine.

• Make a mixture of egg, yogurt and melted butter to brush between layers if using filo pastry (if you’re using puff pastry you will not need this step)

• Brush a baking tray with butter.

• Add first sheet of filo and brush with yogurt, butter and egg mixture. Repeat until half of the filo sheets have been used up.

• Add the filling and spread.

• Grate some cheddar cheese if you like your borek cheesy (or if you just like cheese).

• Place a sheet of filo on top and brush with yogurt, butter and egg mixture. Repeat until all of the filo sheets have been used up. Add a bit of extra egg/melted butter on top of the last sheet and place in oven until golden brown.

Iftar Meal Plans 2013

Salaam, I hope that Ramadan is going well for you all insha Allah.
Last year I posted a link to ramadan recipes from the Nestle website.
Here is the link: http://www.nestle-family.com/my-ramadan/english/recipes.aspx
Here are just a few of the recipes featured: Red pepper pasta, Potato and Lamb Kibbeh, Light basbousa with almond.

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Mubarak everyone!!

May Allah grant us the tawfeeq  to exert our efforts in this blessed month. May we use each moment  productively and may this be our best Ramadan ever. Ameen.