The month of Ramadan is a period of reflection, prayer, personal development, and charitable giving. It is also a time for meeting with family, friends, and neighbors for iftar, the meal that marks the conclusion of the fast, which is served at dusk. With these suggestions, you’ll have everything you need to host an iftar without a hitch. It can be difficult to make an elegant supper while experiencing fast-related exhaustion. So you can plan things according to your convenience.
Iftar for a large group of people:
Following are the steps you need to follow to make things easy for yourself:
Plan your menu:
Decide on what dishes you want to serve for Iftar. Consider dishes that are easy to prepare in bulk, such as rice, lentils, stews, and salads. Also, take into account any dietary restrictions or allergies that your guests may have.
Make a shopping list:
Once you have decided on the dishes you want to serve, make a list of all the ingredients you will need to buy. Make sure to buy enough ingredients to feed the number of guests you are expecting.
Prepare your kitchen:
Make sure your kitchen is clean and organized before you start cooking. Clear out any clutter and ensure that you have enough cooking utensils and appliances to handle the volume of food you’ll be preparing.
Start cooking early:
Start cooking your dishes early in the day to avoid rushing and to make sure everything is ready on time. Prepare dishes that can be reheated later, such as stews and casseroles, to save time. Being present with your guests is one of the most essential aspects of hospitality, no matter the season. This entails doing as much preparation as you can before supper. A major dinner party typically involves purchasing on one day, preparation on the next, and cooking on the actual party day. You can go from being harried and agitated to being incredibly cool-headed and collected by using this basic game plan. Along with being more attentive to your visitors, you’ll also take a more deliberate approach to the dinner.
Use shortcuts:
To save time and effort, use shortcuts such as pre-cut vegetables, pre-made spice mixes, and canned beans. The best method to feed a large table for iftar is with large-batch pasta dishes. The best part is that you may complete most of the work in advance. Making everything come together at dinner time will be a lot simpler if your vegetables are chopped early in the day or even the day before. You can add cheese and vegetables to your spaghetti recipe to make a complete meal that can be cooked up for an iftar dinner. To make preparing your iftar simpler and faster, soups with a broth basis can be frozen and reheated.
Easy desserts:
Use large pots and pans to cook your dishes. This will save time and effort and also ensure that you can cook in bulk. Making a dessert bar is a fun and convenient way to serve dessert to a large crowd. Everyone can create their distinctive dessert if you spread out a variety of ice creams, nuts, sprinkles, and fruit. You won’t have to spend hours putting it together, and you’ll still dazzle your guests!
Set up your serving area:
Set up a serving area for your guests with plates, cutlery, and glasses. Also, make sure to have plenty of napkins and a water dispenser. Calculate the number of guests and the amount of food required for each person. This will give you an idea of how much food you need to prepare and how much space you need for the serving area. Choose a location for the serving area that is easily accessible for guests and has enough space to accommodate the food and serving equipment.
Get help:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. Identify the areas where you need help the most, such as food preparation, decorations, or entertainment. Assign specific tasks to different people and make sure everyone knows what they need to do.
Be flexible:
Be flexible with your menu and adjust it if necessary. It’s better to have a variety of dishes than to have too much of one dish. Many people may have dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or gluten-free diets, or food allergies. Being flexible allows you to offer a variety of options that cater to the needs of all guests. Large events can be unpredictable, and unexpected changes may arise. Being flexible allows you to adapt to these changes without disrupting the flow of the event.
Enjoy the meal:
Once everything is prepared, sit down and enjoy the meal with your guests. Ramadan is a time of togetherness, so make sure to savor the moment with your loved ones.
