Red Pepper and Mushroom Quiche (Sahoor in a Crock Pot)

This recipe comes from the book, The Every Day Low Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook, by Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D., and Kimberly Mayone. With these quiche dishes the sky is the limit. There's a seafood version, spinach and fetta, bacon and cheese, sausage, etc. This one is a meatless version. They taste delicious. :)

3 Tbsp butter, divided
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips, then strip cut into 1-inch lengths
1 10 ounce package mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp sea salt
10 eggs, beaten
1 cup light cream
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 8 ounce package shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite)

1. Grease the slow cooker with 1 Tbsp of the butter (leave excess in the crock pot); set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm remaining 2 tabelspoons of buter about 30 seconds. Add peppers, mushrooms, dried onions, and salt; saute until pepper is soft and mushrooms have lost their water, about 5 minutes. Drain the vegetables,if necessary, then add them to the slow cooker crock.

3.In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, pepper and cheese, then add to the slow cooker crock. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Do not overcook this dish or the quiche will be dry.

Great Bread Pudding In a Crockpot

Ma'shallah, so as you may have guessed I'm featuring crockpot recipes during this Ramadan. Their great because they save you time. This leaves you more time to do your extra prayers, Qur'an reading, charitable acts, teaching the children, visiting the sick, and so much more. Slow cooking meals allow you to economize on time, but not on flavor.
So last night was my attempt to salvage some old bread that was no it's way to being bird food. The results a great dessert after iftar, and tasty leftovers at sahoor. I've never been fond of bread pudding, but this one was a winner. (Alhumdulillah!)

Bread Pudding
Ingredients
• 8 cups cubed day-old whole wheat bread
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter,palm oil shortening,or coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavor
• ½ teaspoon coconut flavor
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins

Directions: Place cubed bread in a 3-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla, coconut and cinnamon. Stir in raisins. Pour over old bread; stir gently. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Great for sahoor or dessert after iftar Yield: 6 servings.

Note: I used 1/2 cup of coconut milk and 1/2 cup of almond milk
You may also add about 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut if your
a coconut fan like me. :)
We ate this at sahoor along with eggs, grits, and salmon patties. Yummy!

Halal Beef Goulash (Iftar in a Crockpot)

1 1/4 pound bonless halal cubed beef (Stew Meat)
1 can crushed tomatoes in puree
1 packet of onion soup mix, or any vegetarian soup mix. (2.2 oz. packet)
2 Tbsp sweet paprika
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp caraway seeds
3/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp of fresh dill weed or 1-1/2 Tbsp dry dill weed
1. Mix all ingredients except sour cream and dill in a 3-qt or larger crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours until beef is tender. Stir in dill and sour cream.
Serves 6

Some Benefits of Fasting.

(Image by Rahhal)
Exerpt from Halal Healty Meals
Some of the spiritual benefits of fasting include that it accustoms one to patience and strengthens one‟s patience. It teaches self restraint and helps one to practice it. It places the gift of piety in the soul and cultivates it.
Some of the social benefits of fasting include that it accustoms the community to organization and unity, and the love of justice and equality. It causes a feeling of mercy and good character in the believers.
Some of the health benefits of fasting include that it cleanses the intestines and benefits the stomach. It also purifies the body from excesses and deposits, and it lessens the settling of fat and heaviness of the stomach with fat.

Sahoor in a Crockpot

During Ramadan we are truly trying to be focused on our spiritual growth and well being. I love to get up and do the early morning 'amals and prayers. Quite honestly, there are some mornings that I am so involved in my worship that I don't want to stop and tend to alot of cooking. It can become a distraction. At those times, its nice to have a hearty sahoor that's already going and needs little to no attention.

Apple and Raisin Crockpot Oatmeal

1 cup old fashioned oats
2 cups water
1 cup milk, almond milk, coconut milk or rice milk
1/2 small apple, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
2 tbsp succanat or Rapadura
1/4 cup walnuts

Add all ingredients to your crock pot except for the raisins and walnuts. Turn your crock pot on to low and cook for 8 hours approximately. Add the walnuts and raisins 5 minutes before its done and stir well through the oatmeal mixture. Serve with extra sweetner and milk. Makes 4 servings.

Variations: you can substitute honey instead of succanat/rapadura, and you can leave out the walnuts if you want. You may also add dates to this version, just add them at the time when adding raisins and walnuts.

Cranberries, not Just for Sauce Any More!

These tart little berries pack a powerful punch. Super high in anti-oxidants, cranberries are believed to protect cells from free radical damage. It also has been discovered that due to the high vitamin c content in cranberries, they are affective in reducing plague and periodontal disease. Ofcourse the most commonly believed benefit of cranberries, especially the juice, is that of preventing and healing urinary tract infections. Preliminary research also suggests that cranberries may lower the bad cholesterols (LDL) in the blood, while raising the good ones (HDL). They may also drastically impede and prevent the growth of tumors. So pop some of these power berries into your muffins, granola, rice dishes, trail mixes and salads. Alternatively, you may decide to have a nice cold glass of 100% sugar free cranberry juice or cranberry juice blend. Either way your body will love you for it!

What's that in My Gumbo?

(image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling exhausted or weak, and those suffering from depression. It may also be beneficial in preventing cataracts. As a superior source of fiber, okra helps to control blood cholesterol and blood sugar. Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics) that aid digestion. This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract. Okra is also used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber. It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and it provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract. Okra is also known to counter the expansion of some cancers, especially colo-rectal. Further, eating okra regularly may relieve pulmonary inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.