“Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum” (May Allaah accept good deeds from us and from you), Ameen.

Today’s To-do:

Maximize the last ten days of Ramadan.

Thought for the Day:

Regarding the last ten days of Ramadan, do as much as you can in relation to your own regular capacity. Do not be intimidated by another’s amount of worship so much that it disheartens you to do any of your own. “Allah’s Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” (Muslim).

Recipe of the Day: Chocolate Espresso Walnut Tiles

Makes 48 bars
Prep: 30 minutes
Chill: 2 hours
Bake: 25 minutes
Cool: 1 hour
Stand: 1 hour

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee crystals
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting
Brownie Glaze
Chocolate-covered coffee beans (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve espresso powder in boiling water; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter and bittersweet chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool.

2. Meanwhile, line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Grease foil; set pan aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. Stir sugar into cooled chocolate mixture in saucepan; add espresso mixture. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating with a wooden spoon after each addition just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture; stir just until combined. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top appears set and dry. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Spread the Brownie Glaze evenly over frosting. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or until glaze is set.

5. Before serving, use foil to lift brownies out of pan. Cut into bars. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. If you like, garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans. Makes 48 bars.

Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat one 3-ounce package softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in 1 cup additional powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency.

Brownie Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine 6 ounces coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons whipping cream and 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee crystals. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; cool for 30 minutes.

Taken from Midwest Living

“Let not our hearts deviate now after You have Guided us, but Grant us mercy fromYour own Presence; for You are the Provider of bounties without measure.” Ameen (Al-Quran, 3:8)

Today’s To-do:

Have iftaari with the family. Simple and sweet.

Thought for the Day:

Tie Your Camel. One day Prophet Muhammad SAWS noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, “Why don’t you tie down your camel?” The Bedouin answered, “I put my trust in Allah.” The Prophet SAWS then said, ” Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah” (Tirmidhi).

Recipe of the Day: Moroccan Date Cake

Yield: 10 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar, or up to double amount
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour, white, unbleached
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves, ground
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dates, pitted, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 whipped cream, fresh

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Cream together the butter and sugar.

Beat in the eggs.

Combine the baking powder, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, beating well.

Mix in the milk and vanilla. Beat well.

Add the chopped dates and walnuts and stir again to distribute them evenly.

Butter and flour a 9 inch cake pan. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Taken from Recipeland

For the bereaved: “May Allah Magnify your reward (for patience), and Make perfect (Accept) your bereavement, and Forgive your departed,” Ameen (An-Nawawi).

Today’s To-do:

For those of us who’re missing loved ones that are no longer with us, visit their friends so the pain of the void created by their absence is alleviated and shared amongst those who loved them the most.

Thought for the Day:

It’s perfectly natural to miss the presence of loved ones: just channelize these feelings into positive energy by embracing them instead of shying away from them, and praying lots.

Recipe of the Day: Brownie Bombs

This recipe requires a decent amount of effort to gain perfection, and is not easy on the wallet either. But I guarantee that if you go through with this, it will be worth the effort and the bill. This particular recipe yields 16 servings so rest assured that a lot of people will enjoy it insha Allah.

Makes 16 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 32 minutes

Ingredients

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1-2/3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter over low heat. Remove the mixture from the heat.Stir in 1-1/3 cups of the sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Cool the mixture for 15 minutes. Beat in the 3 eggs and the 3/4 cup flour.

2. In a mixing bowl, mix the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, the cream cheese, the 1 egg, the 4 teaspoons flour, and the 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

3. Coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 2/3 of the chocolate batter in the pan. Spoon cream cheese layer over batter. Dollop with remaining chocolate batter.

4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Bake for 12 minutes more. Cool. Cover; store in the refrigerator. Let the chilled dessert stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to serve.

Makes 16 servings.

Taken from Midwest Living

For someone who does good to you: “JazaakUllahu Khairan (May Allah Reward you with good),” Ameen. (Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Complement your fast in the best way possible. The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “Whoever does not give up telling lies, (committing) evil deeds and speaking harshly to others, Allah is not in need of his fasting.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 83)

Thought for the Day:

Worth the envy – The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “There are two (kinds of) people worth envying: someone whom Allah has made rich and who spends his money righteously; and someone whom Allah has given wisdom and who acts according to it and teaches others.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9 Hadith 255)

Recipe of the Day: French-Glazed Chicken

Prep: 10 min.
Bake: 50 min.

Ingredients:

2 pounds meaty chicken pieces
1/4 cup French salad dressing
2 tablespoons peach jam, large pieces cut up
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon dried minced onion or 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

Directions:

1. Remove skin from chicken, if desired. Place chicken pieces in a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2. For glaze, stir together the salad dressing, peach jam, water, and onion. Brush the glaze lightly over the chicken.

3. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degree F oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Brush with remaining glaze; bake 5 minutes more.

Makes 4 servings.

Taken from Better Homes & Gardens

Today I’m going to put up a translation of a very common prayer everyone who performs namaaz knows. This is the one that is recited while rising from the ruku, i.e. “Sami’Allaahu liman hamidah” and it means, “Allah has Listened to the one who has praised Him.” Now this is what I call an affirmation.

Today’s To-do:

Reconcile old or forgotten differences. “It is not permissible for a Muslim to keep apart from his brother for more than three days. If three days pass, he should meet him and greet him, and if he replies to it, they will both have shared in the reward, while if he does not reply, he will bear his sin while the Muslim (who offered him the greeting) will have been freed from the sin of keeping apart.” (Reported by Abu Dawud.)

Thought for the Day:

The Prophet SAWS said: “Through (a person’s charitable giving), Allah takes away arrogance and vanity.”

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 37B

Recipe of the Day: Toasted Chicken & Cheddar Sandwich

Cook Time: 8 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 cups bay leaf spinach (about 2 ounces)
• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 2 teaspoons grainy mustard (such as West brae)
• 4 ounces thinly sliced chicken
• 4 1/4-inch thick slices tomato
• 2 thin slices cheddar cheese, about 11/2 ounces

Instructions:

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook one minute. Stir in spinach and cook until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach to plate.

3. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon of oil to skillet. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard onto each bread slice (one side only) and place bread, mustard side up, in skillet. Cook until bread is lightly browned on the bottom, about 1-2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and divide spinach mixture between bread slices. Pile chicken onto bread and top with thinly sliced tomato and cheddar cheese. Place skillet under broiler, about 4-6 inches from heat source, and broil until cheese melts and begins to brown, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

‘(Moses) said: “O my Lord! expand me my breast;
And ease my task for me;
And remove the impediment from my speech,
So they may understand what I say” ‘ Ameen. (Al-Quran, 20:25-28)

Today’s To-do:

Indulge in charity. As mentioned below, there are so many options for us to choose from.

The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “Giving in charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” The people then asked the Prophet: “From what do we give (in) charity if we do not possess property?”

He replied: “There are many doors to goodness. (Saying) ‘glory to Allah,’ ‘praise be to Allah,’ ‘there is no deity but Allah,’ enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf (until you understand them), leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the weak with the strength of one’s arms – all of these are (forms of) charity prescribed for you.”

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

Thought for the Day:

A promise: “Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” Al-Quran, 94:6

Recipe of the Day: Roasted Red Pepper Yogurt Dip

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (12 ounces) jar roasted red peppers, drained
2 (8 ounces) containers lowfat plain yogurt
1 (4 ounces) can chopped green chilies, drained
1 garlic clove, minced

Preparation:

1. Purée red peppers in food processor or blender; drain again.

2. Add remaining ingredients; mix until blended and refrigerate.

3. Serve with assorted cut vegetables or pita wedges.

Yields: 5 servings

On leaving the house: “I seek refuge in Allah, lest I go astray or be led astray, that I trip or be tripped, that I oppress or be oppressed, or I be ignorant or ignorance be done to me,” Ameen (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Clean out your closet and set aside all the clothes and shoes you can do without which would benefit another for the harsh winter ahead.

Thought for the Day:

The Prophet SAWS said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The Prophet said finally: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524

Recipe of the Day: Just Peachy Smoothies

4 (1-cup servings)
Prep: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups sliced fresh peaches
1 cup fat-free milk
1 6-ounce carton peach-flavored yogurt
1 cup small ice cubes or crushed ice

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine fruit, milk, and yogurt. Cover and blend until smooth.

2. Gradually add ice through hole in lid, blending until almost smooth. If desired, garnish each serving with fresh fruit. Makes 4 (1-cup) servings.

Double Red Berry Smoothies: Prepare Just Peachy Smoothies as directed through Step 2, except substitute strawberry yogurt for peach yogurt and 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen sliced strawberries and 1/2 cup fresh or frozen red raspberries for peaches.

Fruit Smoothie Pops: Prepare peach or red berry mixtures as directed through Step 1. Omit ice. Pour mixture into 14 compartments of freezer pop molds. (Or pour into 3-ounce paper or plastic cups. Cover with foil. Make a slit in the foil of each. Add sticks.) Freeze for 4 to 6 hours or until firm. Makes 14 pops.

Prepare pops as directed; freeze for up to 1 week.

Taken from Better Homes & Gardens

After performing ablutions (wudu): “Oh Allah, Make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified.” Ameen (Sahih Al Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Share your iftaari. Pack enough food for two or even a small family if you can manage it, and go out into the streets. You are bound to find homeless and hungry people who would love to have a share from your plate.

Thought for the Day:

Don’t restrict the good that you can do to one month of the year. It’s not about how much you can do keeping your lifestyle in mind, it’s how often you do what you can that marks its significance.

Recipe of the Day: Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Olives

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

12 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (2 to 2-1/2 pounds total)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium red sweet pepper, cut into thin strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/4 teaspoon thread saffron, crushed, or 1/8 teaspoon ground saffron
1/2 cup green olives, halved
1/2 cup chicken broth
Lemon wedges

Directions:

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a 12-inch skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 10 minutes or until browned, turning once. Remove chicken, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.

2. Add onion, sweet pepper strips, and garlic to skillet; cook and stir for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in rice and saffron. Add olives; chicken broth; and 1-1/2 cups water. Bring to boiling. Return chicken to skillet; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and rice is tender. Serve with lemon wedges. Makes 6 servings.

Taken from Better Homes & Gardens

“O Allah! Let me maintain ties with him who severs these. Let me grant him his due that deprives me of what is due to me. Let me forgive him who wrongs me.” (Mishkat)

Today’s To-do:

Don’t wait for Eid. Surprise a loved one by dropping off a little-something in the form of food, a gift or even balloons (I’m keeping children in mind) to his house.

Thought for the Day:

Let it be. Follow the sunnah of saying you’re fasting in the face of what could be an argument. It’s not worth it, today or any other for that matter.

Recipe of the Day: Juicy Iced Tea

Put a delicious twist on iced tea by combining fresh fruit juice with chilled green tea. If desired, garnish with a slice of fresh fruit, such as pineapple.

Ingredients:

1 cup brewed green tea, chilled
1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh extracted juice, such as pomegranate, apple, mango or pineapple
Honey, to taste
Ice cubes as needed

Instructions:

In a large glass, combine the green tea and fresh juice of your choice. Add the honey and stir well. Add ice cubes and serve immediately. Serves 1.

Taken from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

“O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Your favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please You: And admit me, by Your Grace, to the ranks of your righteous servants.” (The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Naml – 27:19)

Today’s To-do:

Be your own best critic and try mending a habit you don’t like. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Thought for the Day:

You’re one-third into Ramadan already. That means being one-third closer to realizing your characteristics and potential to be not only a good person, but also a devout Muslim. Just one-third. You still have two-thirds of yourself to discover.

Recipe for the Day: Banana-Nut Bread

So it’s not ethnic, but it’s simply marvellous to have with tea. Personally, I didn’t put in the buttermilk nor the nutmeg, and still it turned out really good alhamdo lillah. Unsalted butter is available inr the Lurpak brand: watch out for the red label that distinctly reads, “Unsalted.”

Ingredients:

6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 or 3 very ripe bananas, coarsely mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts

Instructions:

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the bananas and eggs and beat until smooth. Add the buttermilk and beat just until combined.

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and nuts. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and beat just until combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. It should be no more than two-thirds full. Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and dry to the touch and the edges pull away from the sides of the pan, 55 to 60 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into thick slices to serve. Makes one 9-by-5-inch loaf.

Storage Tip: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap (or aluminum foil) and store at room temperature overnight or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Recipe from Williams-Sonoma Collection Series