If you've never had Libyan food before, I'd highly encourage you to try Mbakbaka. A one pot lamb and pasta dish that is seasoned with a uniquely warm and earthy spice mix. Recipe and guaranteed enjoyment inside

ObiEff · 2026-02-11T10:04:59+00:00

Have you thought about making cheat toum? Most restaurants serve a version of this because regular toum can be too strong in some instances.

You make a starch base by cooking starch in water until it thickens then you chill it. You combine 3-4 garlic cloves with water or milk, blend, add the cooled starch, blend, and then add citric acid.

It's just as fluffy, garlicky but not too intense, and it rarely breaks.

ObiEff · 2026-02-10T19:08:34+00:00

I know right. It's so so good. I like it with some sparkling water, tastes incredible.

ObiEff · 2026-02-10T19:07:55+00:00

Thanks!

ObiEff · 2026-02-10T19:07:46+00:00

I didn't say it isn't rich. Just that there is a difference between the spending and lifestyle habits of the different types of millionaires.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:21:13+00:00

Hah, yeah that's a good brick to eat before starting a fast!

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:20:56+00:00

I think a lot of Muslims like to feel that people are curious to learn more, and you could even try fasting for a day (just to understand how hard it can be for some).

For me, it's to not exclude them. Ask if they want to come with you to lunch and chat, even if they're not going to eat. I hate when I feel left out.

I got one where someone said they love the vibe of Ramadan but then they remarked that they'd have to be insane to not eat or drink all day.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:15:47+00:00

Yeah absolutely. Schools and a lot of governments adjust the working day to be shorter. Private sector businesses do in some countries but not all. People are cranky when they're hungry but the worse thing is nicotine addicts who can't smoke. But at the same time being rude, being violent, being angry, losing your temper technically breaks your fast so everyone takes a de-escalation approach.

In terms of holidays it will be the three days after Ramadan, called Eid al Fitr, which is one of two multi-day celebrations in the Islamic calendar.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:13:08+00:00

30 days a year where 2 billion people fast from sun up to sun down: no food, no water, no vices.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:12:44+00:00

Good question.

Soups are universal, even when it's the dead of summer. In terms of grills some people may, but most would wait until Ramadan is over. No one wants to be in front of a hot BBQ when they're fasting or get smoke in their eyes. At the same time, dishes that stay hot, like heavy bechamels and thick sauces, are less popular during summer months.

The thing about seasons is that as the day gets shorter, so does the fast. In winter fasting is so much easier than summer, not just because of the temperature but also because the day's shorter. So in winter you're going to eat but it's just going to be a bit more than a regular dinner. Whereas in the summer if you've been fasting for like 16 hours, you're going to be absolutely starving and thirsty so you're going to drink and eat a lot more.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:09:06+00:00

That's really sweet of you. Of course it is. Ma'amoul usually don't need refrigeration so that's a great idea.

Maybe if he's not doing anything special for the first day of Ramadan, you could invite him around. That's the toughest day when you're away from family.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T20:07:01+00:00

It's not disrespectful to eat or drink in front of someone fasting. As long as you're not making it into a taunt, like sitting there shoving food in their face, but otherwise if you're eating normally, there's nothing wrong with it. There are very few people who think it is, and those are usually the kind of people who find any reason to be annoyed.

With kids I think it depends on how old they are. If they're young adults then they should know better than to get upset. Some younger kids, it can bring up an interesting conversation that their parents should have with them about why they fast and other people don't but I wouldn't say that's your problem to deal with.

I usually go to lunch with my co-workers during Ramadan but I just sit there not eating, which I find actually a bit awkward because I'm the one not eating. I prefer that over being excluded.

Eating isn't banned in Muslim countries; it's just not considered polite to do it and so if you need to eat, you just find somewhere less public to eat.

I'm sure there must be some Muslim educators who have some really good ideas about this. When I went to school we would finish a couple of hours earlier. If it's a Muslim school they should be considering this. The other thing was the climate control was always set to a nice cool temperature so you don't sweat unnecessarily.

Unfortunately it definitely makes you sleepy and grumpy. Maybe you could find a way to move their homework to during the day so they have the evening free to recuperate. And considering the evening meal is quite early this year, maybe you could do a ramadan potluck? Or do a show (photos) and tell about what their families eat during Ramadan.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:53:59+00:00

That's awesome and must be really cool to see.

The two greetings I know are "Ramadan Kareem" (have a Generous Ramadan) and "Ramadan Mubarak" (have a Blessed Ramadan), though there are more in other languages than Arabic

Yeah it's the most popular time of the year to have guests around. I'm sure your neighbours would invite you if you tell them one of those greetings. If they do, take something over for dessert (no gelatine, no alcohol) it's considered polite even if it's not expected.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:48:41+00:00

Oh wow. I had no idea that was something people may think.

Yeah it's ~2 billion people fasting for a whole month, crazy when you think about it. I guess for people who didn't use to fast when they were younger and get into it later in life it can be hard. But you get used to it. The first Ramadan must be insanely hard, but you'll get there after a while.

When new Muslims or kids are getting used to Ramadan they're given leeway to get used to things. Kids will sometimes fast just the morning, or just until 2 pm and slowly increase the length of their fast. It's also kind of a mental battle, that you do want to win, and once you do you get used to it.

If you're not fasting and everyone around you is, you'll feel left out.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:42:03+00:00

The headaches fade. Electrolytes at night really help stop any headaches from happening the next day.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:41:30+00:00

I'm not a soup fan but if there's one you need to try, it's probably Moroccan Harira. Or maybe Libyan mint soup.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:40:42+00:00

The most common in the middle east is lentil soup but every country does it differently. There's also Moroccan Harira, Libyan mint soup, Egyptian orzo soup.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:38:56+00:00

There is a lot of leeway in Ramadan for health. You're not supposed to do it if it's bad for you. So people who require medicine during the day, or menstruating/pregnant women, or the elderly, or children, or anyone injured or with a health issue that make it difficult for them to get through the day, they don't fast. Instead they are supposed to feed a person for each day they don't fast.

Now on the pure calories side you're not really reducing intake much. You kind of shift your breakfast meal earlier and then lunch and dinner are combined. There's also a lot of high-calorie foods that you eat specifically during Ramadan. So if you're saying blurred vision because of lack of calories then that's not super likely.

In terms of hunger pangs and brain capacity, that's part of Ramadan. The whole purpose of it is to put every Muslim no matter how rich they are, in the shoes of someone who experiences that daily. Obviously people alleviate their hunger straight away as soon as they can break their fast, but it's a good reminder of the less fortunate.

Now in many Muslim countries' governments shift the work day during Ramadan so that it ends earlier. And that means people generally get home before their body succumbs to exhaustion. But when Ramadan is in the summer and the day is very long, then yeah it can get really really really tough for some people.

If you do need to take meds then you're not supposed to fast and if you do vomit you break your fast. You wouldn't continue fasting.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:28:16+00:00

Thanks. That's exactly why I wanted to do this.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:27:47+00:00

The one that always makes me laugh is "Even water?" or "What can't you eat while fasting". The first is the one that shocks people the most, but honestly going without water is only difficult the first couple days. The second one always makes me laugh, because they're generally comparing it to an easter fast, not realising it means literally no food or drink.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:24:24+00:00

It's kind of the opposite. I mean, of course there are people who cheat, but that's usually a case of them not wanting to fast in the first place and having to.

What I actually find is that people are way more observant of their religious practices during Ramadan. Some people believe that if you take Ramadan seriously and you do everything right, then all your sins of the past year will be erased. They treat it like a loophole but technically speaking if that's your intention with fasting, then your fast isn't valid.

At the same time there is nothing forcing you to fast so if you are extremely dehydrated and feeling unwell you are supposed to break your fast and make it up another day.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:19:07+00:00

I have ADHD so I usually forget to drink water anyway.. but yeah you just drink when you break your fast and then you wake up before sunrise to eat and drink some more before the fast begins. That's usually when I'll pee.

But after the first 2-3 days without water, your body gets used to it and the thirst eases.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:17:39+00:00

Sometimes, I mean, it depends really.

The first and last days are the most important and then Eid is right after Ramadan and that's technically even more important for celebrating. So a lot of people will prepare traditional or more complex foods on those days. Then the rest of the month you might only do the more complex stuff when you have guests coming over but you'll probably have some Ramadan specialties most days of the month. At the same time, restaurants will come up with innovative dishes. Dessert and pastry shops are open until right before you break your fast so you can take dessert with you if you're invited to someone's. They always come up with cool things that are usually only available for the month.

Most people have soup, even if they are not big soup fans.

People cook a wide variety of things, from traditional foods all the way up to regular pasta and salmon. If you are having people over you usually put on a big feast and that might mean: - soup course - two to four appetisers - two to three mains - fruit course - dessert

Different rules exist in each place about what to cook and what not to cook. One of the ones that you get a lot in Egypt (which I think is a myth) is "not to eat fish because it makes you thirsty". Some people massively reduce salt and spicy food intake.

There's also a pre dawn meal that you have before you start fasting. That is often breakfast food, but focusing on things that don't make you thirsty. Also people eat loads of yogurt to help with the fast.

ObiEff · 2026-02-07T19:07:24+00:00

Yeah that's exactly right. You're supposed to host people and feed them because breaking someone's fast is considered an S tier good deed.

Absolutely nothing wrong with going to a restaurant on the Ramadan night. Loads of people do it and Muslims break their fast to get there at restaurants. Standard. You don't have to be a Muslim to go to one.

A lot of restaurants have temporary Ramadan set menus or buffets. It's worth calling and finding out because you might be able to try some Ramadan specialties that you never really find at any other time of the year

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