Irfan Aziz introduces you to four desserts that will bring your friends, family and taste buds a lot of happiness and joy this festive season
Last Eid, we brought to you numerous savoury dishes that symbolise the holy occasion across the globe. This year, we have decided to do your sweet tooth a solid by bringing to you some of the most delectable classic Eid-ul-Fitr desserts from different corners. A good way to understand each other’s cultures is through the kind of cuisine we indulge ourselves in, especially the sweet stuff. Given our heritage of being sweet fanatics, it is only appropriate that we take you to a journey across the world to see the tasty treats that our brothers and sisters enjoy during the festive season. Buckle up!
Sheer Khurma
Origin: Afghanistan
The lavish nature of our holiday is defined by the kind of desserts we are treated to and the Sheer Khurma ranks very highly in that regard. It is basically a milk pudding comprised of milk, vermicelli (or shemai), an array of different types of chunky nuts, sugar and most importantly dates. Think of it as a distant cousin of the traditional milk shemai that is served in Bangladesh. Only difference is that the dates enhance the richness of the dessert. We highly recommend that you add this bit of unique twist to an already favourite dish to give your loved ones a pleasant surprise!
Baklava
Origin: Turkey
No dessert list can be complete without the mentioning of Baklava, arguably one of the most mesmerising delights of the world. This crunchy dessert is made by stacking layers of filo pastries laced with butter and crushed pistachios. The baked goodness is then soaked into a sugar syrup infused with either rose essence or honey. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Baklava contains just the correct amount of sweet. Even people who are not particularly fond of desserts fall in love with the flavours offered by this delicacy. It’s like a party in your mouth!
Shahi Tukda
Origin: Hyderabad
This is another fan favourite dessert which is more common during Ramadan in Bangladesh than it is during Eid. Little do we know that Shahi Tukda is a pretty big deal in our subcontinent. In fact, it is even considered to be one of the best contributions to Indian cuisine! In essence, it is just small pieces of fluffy bread dipped in condensed milk with a hint of sugar but it is the possibility of adding your own touch to the dish that makes it such a tantalizing prospect. You can add dry fruits to it according to your will or embellish with nuts or even infuse it with cardamom or saffron. The sky’s the limit, really!
Maamoul
Origin: Saudi Arabia/Palestine/Lebanon
The West may be the cookie hub of the world but the East fares pretty well too in that regard. Case in point, Maamouls. These are crunchy and buttery shortbread cookies often covered in a layer of sugar but what really makes it exciting is its filling. Traditionally, these cookies are stuffed with dates, pistachios or walnuts but there are no laws against using other ingredients. Let your imagination run wild and create your own version of the cookie. Afterall, it’s Eid and you deserve to treat your taste buds with whatever they want!