4 Delicious and Nutritious Porridge Recipes for Iftar

According to Saed News Cooking Service, Ferni is one of Iran’s traditional desserts, cherished from childhood into adulthood. Its base is milk, typically combined with rice flour, and in some regions, wheat flour or starch is used. It comes in flavors such as saffron, vanilla, or chocolate.

This soft and tasty dessert is often one of the first foods introduced to young children and is also served during religious ceremonies like Ramadan iftar or as a dessert for parties and celebrations. During Ramadan, Ferni is especially popular because it provides a smooth, sweet treat for breaking the fast. There are various methods to make Ferni, and below are four easy and nutritious recipes perfect for Ramadan iftar.

Coconut Almond Ferni

Ingredients:

• Milk: 2 cups

• Almond powder: 2 tablespoons

• Coconut powder: 2 tablespoons

• Sugar or honey: 2–3 tablespoons

• Rosewater: ¼ cup

• Almond slivers for garnish: as needed

Instructions:

1. Place rice flour in a suitable pot and gradually add cold milk, stirring to combine.

2. Heat over medium flame, stirring constantly until it thickens.

3. Add almond powder, coconut powder, sugar or honey, and rosewater; stir until the Ferni sets and forms slight folds on top.

4. Serve in a dish and garnish with almond slivers.

Orange Ferni

Ingredients:

• Milk: 2 cups

• Rice flour: 2 tablespoons

• Orange juice: 1½ cups

• Sugar: 2–3 tablespoons

• Grated orange zest: ½ teaspoon

• Rosewater: ¼ cup

• Pistachio slivers for garnish: as needed

Instructions:

1. Mix rice flour with cold milk in a pot until fully dissolved.

2. Heat over medium flame, stirring constantly until thickened, then add sugar.

3. Add orange juice and grated zest, stirring over low heat until the Ferni sets.

4. Add rosewater and turn off the heat after one minute.

5. Serve in a dish and garnish with pistachio slivers once cooled.

Tahini Ferni

Ingredients:

• Rice flour: 2 cups

• Milk: 2 cups

• Tahini: 2 tablespoons

• Sugar or honey: 3 tablespoons

• Rosewater: 1 tablespoon

• Ground cardamom: ¼ teaspoon

• Sesame seeds and cinnamon powder for garnish: as needed

Instructions:

1. Combine rice flour and cold milk in a pot, stirring gradually until smooth.

2. Heat over medium flame, stirring until thickened.

3. Add tahini, sugar or honey, cardamom, and rosewater; continue stirring until set.

4. When folds appear on the surface, it’s ready. Serve in a dish and garnish with sesame seeds and cinnamon once cooled.

Arabic Caramel Ferni

Ingredients:

• Milk: 2 cups

• Rice flour: 2 tablespoons

• Sugar: 4 tablespoons

• Sugar for caramel: 2 tablespoons

• Rosewater: 1 tablespoon

• Butter: 1 teaspoon

• Pistachio slivers for garnish: as needed

Instructions:

1. Place sugar for caramel in a pan over very low heat and let it melt slowly without stirring.

2. Once half melted, swirl the pan to mix; when fully melted, add butter and stir to form a smooth sauce.

3. In another pot, dissolve rice flour in cold milk, heat, and stir until thickened.

4. Add sugar and rosewater, then half of the caramel sauce to infuse flavor.

5. When folds appear on the Ferni, serve in a dish and pour the remaining caramel on top. Garnish with pistachio slivers.

These four variations of Ferni are easy to make, wonderfully aromatic, and perfect for Ramadan iftar or any festive occasion.