One of the customs and traditions experienced during the Holy Month of Ramadan is the very social gathering of friends and family for Iftar.
Usually there is a huge choice of different places to go and enjoy the significance of breaking the fast, whether in already established restaurants who have created menus to offer Iftar buffets, or in purpose built venues offering an alternative, but due to current restrictions and more people staying at home, these are certainly fewer this year.
Since 2016 Dish Catering has created a Ramadan Nights pop up restaurant in Al Quoz offering an Iftar menu put together by the team who have become well known for catering for large scale events and weddings at any location. This year the pop up in Warehouse Four may not be there, but the contemporary Iftar menu the team have become well known for creating still is, and is available for Iftar At Home.
The menu is as sumptuous as any rich Iftar menu, with a beginning, a middle and an end.
To start with the hot red lentil and roast tomato soup strikes a perfect balance between the tastes of lentil and tomato, and the red beetroot hummus with pumpkin and nigella seeds is so moorish you would have to control yourself to not scoop it all up before moving to the main dishes.
The contemporary twist continues into the middle or main dishes, with an amazingly tasty mix of scorched cauliflower along with beetroot falafel, and a refreshing dish of salmon poached in cardamom and vanilla, with cucumber and baby fennel. With such a varied offering on the menu it is difficult to find a stand out, as all the dishes have their unique touches, however the centrepiece of slow braised lamb shoulder, really was mouthwatering and perfectly spiced with middle eastern spices and in a sauce that you could not help but mop up a bit with some Arabic bread. Serving the lamb was so easy as each piece literally fell apart at the touch. Another real standout was the chicken marinated in sumac and wrapped in knafeh. Warm and tasty with a crisp when you bite into it and perfectly partnered with a mango chili relish, it certainly was the most popular dish at our home table. To complete the mains there is a great selection of vegetables including asparagus, broccolini, and grilled beans.
The food does not end here and like every great meal, there is a great end with some very refreshing deserts including a passion fruit mahalabia, mandarin sorbet, walnut and pistachio crumble and pistachio milk cake. A perfect way to end an amazing hassle free Iftar at home.
The team at Dish deliver the entire Iftar already prepared, hot and ready to serve, and from start to finish follow all the recommendations from the appropriate authorities on food delivery to ensure the health and safety of their team and customers.
The contemporary Iftar is priced at Dhs 200 per person, based on a minimum of four people, and is delivered straight to your door. Orders can be made by either calling 056 128 3247, emailing info@dish.ae or visiting www.dish.ae/ramadan-nights 24 hours in advance.