Celebrate Eid With These Beginner-Friendly Recipes Full Of Flavour!

These dishes are simple to make, and they offer the perfect balance of flavors for a memorable Eid meal. Enjoy cooking and celebrating!

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Eid is such a joyful celebration, and cooking for the occasion can be a wonderful experience, especially for beginners. Here are some easy yet flavorful dishes to try that will impress your family and guests without overwhelming you:

1. Chicken Biryani (Simplified Version)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons biryani masala (or curry powder)
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

• In a large pan, heat oil or ghee. Fry onions until golden, then remove half for garnish.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté, followed by chopped tomatoes.
• Stir in chicken pieces, biryani masala, and yogurt. Cook until the chicken is done.
• In a separate pot, cook the rice with water and a pinch of salt until it's 90% cooked.
• Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken mixture. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes.
• Garnish with fried onions, mint, and coriander. Serve hot.

2. Stuffed Dates (Khajoor)

Ingredients:

• Fresh dates (pitted)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese or soft cheese (like ricotta or mascarpone)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, or walnuts)
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

• Slice each date lengthwise, removing the pit.
• Fill each date with a spoonful of cream cheese or ricotta cheese.
• Top with chopped nuts, a drizzle of honey, and a dash of cinnamon if desired.
• Arrange on a platter and serve chilled or at room temperature.

3. Chana Chaat (Chickpea Salad)

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (or boiled fresh chickpeas)
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, and onion.
• Sprinkle with chaat masala, cumin powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Toss well and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.

4. Fruit Chaat (Fruit Salad with Spices)

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, diced
• 1 orange, peeled and diced
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

• In a bowl, combine all the fruits.
• Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with sugar if you like extra sweetness.
• Sprinkle chaat masala over the fruit for a tangy twist.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve chilled.

5. Mutton or Chicken Kebabs (Grilled or Pan-Seared)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb minced mutton or chicken
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring that the spices are well incorporated.
• Shape the mixture into small, elongated kebabs.
• Heat oil in a pan or grill pan, then cook the kebabs on medium heat until browned and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes on each side).
• Serve with naan or rice and a side of yogurt or chutney.

6. Sweet Vermicelli (Seviyan)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vermicelli
• 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios)
• Raisins (optional)

Instructions:

• In a pan, heat ghee or butter and sauté the vermicelli until golden brown.
• Add milk and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the milk is absorbed.
• Stir in sugar, cardamom powder, and nuts.
• Once the mixture is thickened, serve warm with extra nuts on top.

7. Samosas (Quick Version)

Ingredients:

• 1 package of frozen samosa pastry or spring roll wrappers
• 1 cup boiled potatoes, mashed
• 1/2 cup peas (optional)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

• In a pan, heat some oil and sauté the onions and ginger-garlic paste until softened.
• Add the spices and stir in the mashed potatoes and peas. Cook for a few minutes.
• Let the mixture cool, then stuff the samosa wrappers with the filling.
• Seal and fry in hot oil until crispy and golden.
• Serve with chutney or yogurt.

8. Lassi (Yogurt Drink)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
• 1/2 cup water or milk
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Blend yogurt, sugar (or honey), cardamom powder, and water (or milk) until smooth.
• Add ice cubes and blend again.
• Serve chilled in glasses with a sprinkle of cardamom on top.