On 9 March 2023, Ebury Press released Anisa Karolia’s The Ramadan Cookbook: 80 delicious recipes perfect for Ramadan, Eid and celebrating throughout the year, a delectable spread of 192 pages. The author, Anisa Karolia, is one of the UK’s most popular Muslim food bloggers today, with over 240,000 followers on her social media.
During the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, Asian Voice got in touch with the author of the cookbook focussing on a month when most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset not only remembering the less fortunate who go without proper meals but also becoming very tired themselves by the end of the day when they break their fast.
Being second-generation British, the food that she cooks and shares with others tells old tales from old places. Learning to cook from her mother and her grandmother from around the time she was 9 years old, her cooking is an art in progress. “I come from a family of foodies so we were all enthusiastic about trying out new recipes and eating good food. Majority of my recipes I learnt by watching my mother and grandmother. I remember my mother having recipe books, her own that she would jot inside, and a shelf of other cooking books. I also had a book of recipes. When I was in the kitchen with my mother or my grandmother, I would watch them cook, help with adding and stirring and write the recipe down. I have picked up a few recipes along the way. Also living in Leicester and trying out different cuisines like the very popular Indo-Chinese is a continuous influence. I like to try them myself at home. My kids are always giving me ideas on what to make or what to try.”
Her elders’ willingness to trust her right from the time she was a little girl went a long way in not only making her the cook she is today, but also the woman she is- someone who shares her gifts with others while being considerate about possible shortcomings. “It was nice that my mother and grandmother let me explore and try recipes out. They didn't stop me from trying. If I made a mistake, they wouldn't discourage me but would let me make mistakes because that's how you learn.” And today, her family are her best judges and critics, which only helps her grow better.
The blurb of her book says, 'From perfect predawn meals for Suhoor to hearty and satisfying meals for Iftar, as well as dishes made for celebrating with friends and family during Eid al-Fitr, and all the accompanying salads, chutneys, bread, drinks and desserts you'll need, this book has all the most popular Ramadan dishes covered.' So, what makes Ramadan food different from other meals throughout the year, we asked her. “What makes Ramadan food special is not so much what you're eating but the environment of Ramadan which has a special feeling that Muslims wait for all year, with the family around, knowing the blessings of the special month.
Most of the food items in this book you can actually make throughout the year. I guess what makes this book special is that I have a collection of selected recipes in one place. If you have guest's over for weddings or parties- people tend to make samosas, pakoras, and desserts- my book has every occasion covered. “
Growing up in a multicultural hub like Leicester has also contributed to listening to more people, learning more things, and putting all of that into her Ramadan dishes for people to bond over. Since Muslims across the world fast during Ramadan, different places have different dishes. To ensure that her Ramadan dishes, legacies of her family’s Gujarati origins, were palatable for everyone, she simply listened to people different from her. She told us, “When I started sharing recipes a few years ago, I became known for sharing online Ramadan recipes, mainly the savouries, like samosas, spring rolls, pastries, pakoras, and main meals among others. Receiving positive feedback from my followers saying how they enjoy these recipes, sending me pictures of the food they make, and also suggestions from my audience on what kind of food to make and share not only provides enormous support but also global inspiration. I wanted something for everyone. Looking at statistics on my Instagram and YouTube recipes also gives me great feedback on which recipes are popular.”
And considering all the mouth-watering dishes she comes across and that she herself makes, how did she choose the recipes that went into the book?
“I wanted this book to have all my favourite recipes that I grew up enjoying. I made sure this was demonstrated in an easy-to-follow way with easily accessible ingredients either in your cupboard or found in the local supermarket so that nobody has an excuse to not make them, and enjoy the delicious recipes that I do!
I had to include my online fan favourites which followers had been asking for in a book, but I also wanted to add recipes exclusive just to this book. Of course, there are so many more recipes I would have loved to have included. So who knows, there may be book number 2!”
Out of the 80 recipes in the book, which is her favourite?
“I love Butter Chicken,” she shared. “In fact, it's a family favourite. It's such a comforting and hearty meal, yet so luxurious, the cream gives this dish a velvety, smooth consistency and the butter really enhances the flavour.”
Her pick says something about Karolia’s approach to cooking as this dish, while very common across South Asia, depends on finesse for its quality. So what is next on Karolia’s plate? “It's been so busy since the launch of The Ramadan Cookbook, I've not even had a chance to think that far ahead. But who knows? Maybe a second book or even an appearance on a TV cookery show!”
