After the holy month of Ramadan, what follows is a delightful celebration of Eid Al Fitr. The festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is a time to rejoice and celebrate. And do you know what calls for an epic celebration? A wonderfully scrumptious Eid ki Daawat! (Eid feast). Here are 5 such Eid dishes that you must try on this auspicious occasion of Eid Al Fitr 2025.
5 Mouthwatering Eid Dishes You Simply Cannot Skip
Biryani
If there’s one dish that’s synonymous with Eid, it has to be Biryani. The one-pot layered rice dish traces its origins to Persia, where it was known as Pulao or Pilaf. Biryani isn’t just one single dish – it’s an umbrella term for all the different kinds of biryanis you can try across the world. The word derives from the Persian word ‘birian’, meaning ‘fried before cooking’. This refers to the tradition of mildly frying the rice in ghee or oil before cooking it with other ingredients.
The Mughals are credited with introducing the concept of Biryani in India. Since then, it has evolved into different kinds – depending on the availability of local ingredients, unique techniques, and local preferences.
Today, many regions in India have their own versions of biryanis. Be it the authentic Hyderabadi Biryani, Awadh-style Biryani, Dindigul Biryani, and even vegetarian versions of Biryani. Plus, there are variations based on the kind of meat used. Chicken, mutton, beef, fish, prawns, and egg are typically used as meats in these biryanis and their inclusion adds a rich layer of flavor to the biryani.
Seekh Kebabs
Talk about Seekh Kebabs and plenty of people around you will start drooling! Such is the power of juicy, well-seasoned Seekh Kebabs. Finely minced meat is mixed with onions and an array of spices and then pressed around a long, thin sword-like skewer called the ‘seekh’. The meat is then nicely grilled over flames until it is soft, tender, and oozing with flavors.
It is the Turks that introduced these tubular kebabs to India. Initially they were known as Sheesh Kebabs, where ‘sheesh’ translated to ‘sword’ and ‘kebab’ referred to the process of ‘roasting’. Gradually, Seekh Kebabs entered royal Indian kitchens, where they were introduced to a lot of Indian spices.
The initial recipe of Sheesh Kebabs never included any vegetables, however, today it is served with a lot of vegetarian side-dishes like coriander chutney and salads. Seekh Kebabs are a staple during many Iftar feasts and are easily available in many Ramadan food markets in India. So, when are you trying out Seekh Kebabs?
Haleem
We all know that many Eid dishes are crafted with extreme care and attention to make sure that every tinge of flavor is felt on our taste buds. But Haleem goes a step ahead and truly tests your patience. In fact, the dish uses a slow cooking method, requiring you to be patient enough for a long time. To begin with, it is a meat-based porridge-like dish combining lentils, broken wheat, and plenty of spices.
The dish finds its roots in the Arabian Peninsula, where it was known as Harees. Over the years, it traveled to India and became known as Haleem. Hyderabad’s royal courts especially gave patronage to this unique dish, where it evolved into the famous Hyderabadi Haleem many of us enjoy.
If you happen to be in Hyderabad, especially during Ramadan or Eid, make sure you check out some of the top spots in Hyderabad for Haleem!
Vermicelli/Seviyan/Sheer Kurma
No Eid celebration in India is complete without preparing a comforting bowl of Vermicelli, Sheer Kurma, or Seviyan, as popularly known. Vermicelli is cooked in milk and dry fruits and makes for a delicious dessert. Seviyan is a staple dish made in almost every Muslim household during Ramadan and Eid. Plus, the dish requires minimal ingredients and is easy to prepare for a lot of guests.
Traditionally, vermicelli used for Seviyan was hand rolled, but today you can easily get ready-made packets in the market. The traditional dish was a favorite in the Mughal Court and dates back to the 15th/16th century. Rice noodles have been an integral part of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, and Seviyan are one such variation of rice noodles.
Baklava
A lot can be said about this delicious, warm, and wholesome pastry, but it gains immense significance during Ramadan and Eid. Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with fine layers of pastry dough. These layers are meticulously stuffed with nuts and milk solids and are often sweetened with sugar syrup or honey.
The Baklava as we know it today finds its mention in the history books during the Ottoman Empire about 500 years ago. Making Baklava isn’t as easy as relishing an entire box of it within minutes. The dish requires patience and meticulous planning, which is why it was only prepared during festive occasions in the past.
Summing Up
Food is an inevitable part of our celebrations – it is the gateway to a whole lot of celebrations instead. These traditional Eid dishes highlight the rich culinary history each one of these items carry. Though unassuming on the surface, each food item carries centuries worth of history, culture, and heritage – heritage that’s meant to be savored by our taste buds.
FAQs
Which Sweet Dish Is Made On Eid?
Here are a few sweet dishes made on Eid:
- Seviyan
- Phirni
- Baklava
- Malai Kulfi
How To Make Eid Fun At Home?
You can make Eid fun at home by inviting some of your closest friends and guests, arranging fun games for everyone, and making sure that you play festive playlists for everyone to enjoy. Plus, you can involve little children in these celebrations to make it more fun and lively!
What Do Kids Do On Eid?
Kids dress up in new clothes, pay respects and exchange Eid wishes with the elders, and visit relatives with their parents. Kids also receive gifts in the form of Eidi.
