Ramazan is the most trying time for mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandmothers, cooks, chefs, and basically anyone who lends a hand in the kitchen in those 20 minutes before the roza khullos. There’s more sweat than blood or tears involved. But we never seem to learn, do we? Especially during our beautiful garmiyoun ke rozay. We’ve grown up with some of these, we’ve had our mothers make these for us, and some of these might even be a household favorite. So why not make more of these, and not melt while doing so. Here’s a few recipes that you can not only liven up on your Iftari table, but also allow you to not faint while you’re at it:

1. Good ol’ cold sandwiches

Straight up, sandwiches are usually an iftaar staple. But instead of going through the whole ordeal of marinating chicken and cooking it and then adding it to your bread. Go for a simple cucumber + tomatoes + chicken spread sammy! Cover them up and store ’em in the fridge an hour-ish before iftaar and have fun!

2. Chilled cucumber soup

In a blender, combine chopped cucumber with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, tarragon and the 1/4 cup of olive oil.

Blend until smooth.

Season with salt and white pepper, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Season the soup again just before serving.

It’s as simple as that.

3. Meethi dahi phulki

It’s as simple as it sounds. Grab a packet of phulkiyan on your next grocery run. Soak them in cold water for at least 3 hours before iftari and then squeeze out all the water, dip them in the yogurt and bon appetit! Add chaat masala to the dahi for an extra kick.

4. Chicken wrap

Take a piece of pita bread, top it off with either tomato sauce or pizza sauce (tbh, garlic mayonnaise works wonders, too).

Microwave chicken tikka chunks and add them to the bread.

Grab some chilled cucumbers and tomatoes, chop ’em up and sprinkle on top.

Add a sauce of your choice.

Add lettuce leaves and wrap.

5. Shakes

I love a good shake in iftari. Be it chocolate, strawberry, vanilla or mango (not really, I don;t really like mangoes).

Add some vanilla ice cream to the shake for added omnomnom.

6. Rooh Afza iced lollies

Rooh Afza iced lollies are perhaps my favorite form of ice cream. And they’re as easy to make as they sound. Make a glass of Rooh Afza, add it to ice cream molds, and wait.

7. Cucumber, mint, and black olive salad

If you’re actually going through with everyone’s Ramazan resolution of losing weight during the month, then this is for you. Grab some veggies you like best and toss ’em together in a bowl with your choice of dressing. My ultimate salad is cucumber, mint and black olives with some olive oil and lemon on top.

8. Mini Pizzas

You can get the pre-made, frozen crust to save time and effort (even though it’s not as great as the real deal). Make them like regular pizzas and pop ’em in the oven while you chill pray.

9. Hot dogs

Microwave the dogs instead of boiling/frying them. I like them microwaved better, tbh. And I also microwave them till the point that they burst. ~yum~

10. Fruit chaat

Yep yep yep. Diloun ki raahat. Top it with some freshly squeezed orange juice and you’re good to go.

11. Sharbaaaat

Can never get enough of sharbat, man. Be it sandal or mizori or ilaichi. Recipe? Just buy a flavor you’ve never tried before, pop the bottle, mix it up with some water. Chill it and bring it on.

12. Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad

You will love me once you’ve tried a watermelon and feta cheese salad. It’s possibly the best thing in the world!

13. Mini burgers

Bake the patties first, instead of frying them, so you see, still a hack for avoiding fire and yet, still cooking food. And once you assemble the burger, put it back in the oven, to get that extra crisp on the buns.

We’ll bring you lots more no-choolha recipes, so you an survive the super hot Ramazan. So good luck and happy cooking! Also, if you make any of these, upload the images and tag us on Instagram with #MangoBaaz

Cover image via Ali Rush / YouTube