SEHRI, THE PRE-DAWN MEAL, IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF RAMADAN AND WITH ASDA BY YOUR SIDE, YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
TO BEAT the long fasting hours, it is imperative to have the right choice of food during the holy month of Ramadan.
So, while there is a lot of focus on the evening meal of Iftari, which is the time to replenish, it is equally important to indulge in a healthy Sehri to give an energetic start to your day.
Waking up at dawn and deciding what to eat may not be easy, but Asda has everything you need, plus inspiration to nourish, hydrate and strengthen your body to cope with the upcoming fast. Nutritionist Radhika Howarth from Radikal Kitchen, has teamed up with Asda to give her top tips for Sehri dishes.
Watermelon, banana, apple and yogurt smoothie: Give your day a colourful start with a combination of fresh fruits and healthy yogurt in a fruit smoothie. You could choose from Natural Bio Yogurt (1kg for £1) or Fat Free Yogurt (1kg for £1), and add bananas, apples and watermelon, which is on offer (1 for £3). Blitz the fruits and yogurt to make the smoothie for an invigorating start to your fast.
Sehri health tip: Fasting may make it difficult to have the recommended six-to-eight glasses of water, but with this smoothie you’re already halfway there, and with the yogurt you get a calcium boost too.
Coconut mango lassi: This unique and tasty lassi is a blend of coconut and mango, making it a refreshing start to the day. All you need to do is blend Natural Bio Yogurt (1kg for £1), UFC Coconut Water (1L for £1.50) and Rubicon Juice (4 x 1Lt for £3.50) together, for a quick, thirst-quenching Sehri.
Sehri health tip: This lassi is a delicious way to help stay hydrated as it is packed with the fruity flavours of mango and coconut, keeping your thirst quenched for longer.
Dates porridge: Who said dates are only to be enjoyed when breaking the fast? Try combining dates, oatmeal and dry fruits for a wholesome Sehri. The best part is that it only takes around five minutes to prepare this energy-dense breakfast. Just warm a bowlful of oats and milk and mix it with chopped dates and a handful of a few other dried fruits. And at Asda you can choose from Madinah Khudri dates (450g for £2.60) or Sofra Tunisian dates (200g for £0.50).
Sehri health tip: Oats contain a fibre called beta-glucan, which is said to help lower blood cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.
Date granola: This Sehri idea is power packed and perfect for those who are looking for something quick and light. All you need is honey, oats and cinnamon – plus your choice of Madinah Khudri dates (450g for £2.60) or Sofra Tunisian dates (200g for £0.50).
Sehri health tip: Did you know that 30g of dates make up your one of five a day?
Masaledaar paneer crepes: Carbohydrates provide energy but at times, parathas can feel a bit boring, so why not give it a bit of a twist and try Masaledaar paneer crepes instead? It is perfect for family Sehris and with Asda, you have all the ingredients under one roof. Use Elephant Atta (10kgs for £4.50) to make perfect crepes, and for the stuffing, paneer (226g for £1.50) and Rajah Spices (100g paprika and cumin seeds for £0.50).
Sehri health tip: The grains in Atta (wheat) and the protein in paneer make for a power-packed Sehri meal.
Aloo and dal tikki: Here is a new take on aloo tikkis, with a mixture of dal (lentils) to add plant-based protein to your meal. Use Asda White Potatoes (12.5kgs for £2.50), Asda Growers Selection Coriander (one bunch for £0.75) and Suraj Chana Dal (1.75kg for £2.50), along with cumin powder, garam masala and a few drops of lemon juice, to prepare these patties.
Sehri health tip: For those looking for a veggie Sehri, this is the perfect meal, with lentils providing plant-based proteins to help keep you going through the day.
Keema pav: If you are looking for a filling and spicy Sehri, the all-time favourite keema pav is your go-to dish. But this year, give it a healthy twist by using white chicken mince instead of red meat, making it a tasty and leaner meal. At Asda, you can get three Shazan chicken breasts for £10, making it the perfect family value Sehri.
Sehri health tip: This chicken keema dish is a tasty option, as it provides plenty of protein that is important for healthy muscles and bones.
Paneer bhurji: This quick and easy recipe, made from crumbled paneer simmered in a spicy tomato sauce, tastes great. Just wrap it in a roti or a paratha and it makes for a delicious Sehri. And to make cooking easier, you can pick up diced paneer cubes (250g for £2.50) and a family paratha pack (160g for £2) to accompany the bhurji from your local Asda.
Sehri health tip: The calcium and protein in paneer will help keep your bones healthy during the month of Ramadan.
Scrambled eggs with frankfurters: Give your Sehri a desi twist and try scrambled eggs sprinkled with a bit of cumin and paprika and served with some diced Tahira halal frankfurters (340g for £0.75).
Sehri health tip: The humble egg is a good source of inexpensive, high-quality protein.
Watermelon fruit salad: To beat the heat during the long days of fasting, add this refreshing watermelon fruit salad to your Sehri options. One Asda watermelon for just £3 would be enough for the whole family. To give it a tangy twist, add some Asda Growers Selection Satsumas (600g for £1) along with some chaat masala.
Sehri health tip: If Ramadan is making it difficult for you to have your five a day, well, 80g of watermelon constitutes one of your five a day and adding a couple of satsumas makes it two.
