Chickpeas Pomegranate Salad

{Ramadan Special} – Chickpeas Pomegranate Salad by Ruxana of ‘From my own Kitchen’

As Ramadan has fallen on the hot days of the year, drinks and salad play major role when you are planning a iftar menu. In today’s post Ruxana Gafoor of ‘From my own Kitchen‘ is sharing an easy to make ‘Chickpeas Pomegranate Salad’. This salad is not only easy to make but also filling and refreshing after a day long fast. I usually read my taraweeh before having my dinner. So a salad like this will keep me full to read my full taraweeh. Thank you Ruxana for being part of this event with your wonderful salad.

Assalamu Alaikum and Ramadan Kareem to all the readers of Yummy Food.Once again I am delighted to be here at Lubna’s space,doing a post for her lovely event ‘Joy From Fasting To Feasting.’

Alhamdulillah we are blessed with this lovely month to purify our soul by freeing it from all negative and harmful activities and to be in a month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.

As it is said in the Holy Quran:

“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an,a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”(2:185)

I have spent most of my Ramadan in Qatar, only very little in my Homeland.I remember when young,during Ramadan we used to have iftar party all weekends.We had so many bachelor relatives here in Qatar and my parents made it a point to call them at weekends,so they could enjoy homely food. My Ummi used to start her work ahead itself,making snacks.Usually it would be a traditional menu,with those snacks,fruits, juice,tea and then the main course with Pathal/Pathiri(rice rotis; famous in the Malabar side),Ghee rice, Chicken or Mutton Curry, Kanji etc.At those times there were no home-made rice powders or wet grinders here in Doha,so she had to soak and grind rice in a mixie, pour into a thick cloth to make it into a dough along with some time consuming process to make Pathiris. And in between she did her Ibaadah, sometimes late night she used to do her Quran recitation.I really wonder how she managed things so well.She used to tell me how different it was during her childhood,they just considered the 27th of Ramadan with much importance.But now things have changed a lot. Alhamdulillah..

Considering the Ibaadah  I feel it more comfortable here.If it was in India there would be helping hands in the kitchen,but still don’t get much time for the main reason behind Ramadan.Here I get into kitchen only after praying Asar.There are Quran Hifd and Tajweed classes to attend in the mornings.But when Ramadan ends ,it’s always like “Have I made it to the maximum?”

May the Almighty reward all our good deeds and shower His Mercy on us. Aameen!

Chickpeas Pomegranate Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 1 Pomegranate, peeled and seeds separated
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1-2 slit Green chilies
• 1.4 tsp. Turmeric powder
• Salt  to taste
• 1/4 tsp. Pepper powder
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Tomato, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Spring onion green, chopped
• 2-3 tsp. Lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped Coriander leaves
• Mint leaves to garnish (optional)

PREPARATION:

• Wash and drain the soaked chickpeas. In a pressure cooker add the chickpeas, garlic pods, chilies, turmeric powder and a little salt.
• Add enough water and pressure cook till the Chickpeas turn soft.
• Once cooked drain the excess water. Now, in a bowl add the chickpeas and rest of the ingredients and mix well. Serve.

JazakAllah Khairan Lubna for the invitation 🙂

You can find Ruxana @ Facebook

Find more Ramadan Special recipes of this year@ Joy From Fasting To Feasting – X.