Q: Please explain your family's traditional procedure, traditions, what to eat and drink and when to eat and drink it. Also the highlights of the perfect, or average Iftar table. Everyone is different but I would like to hear about and compare different Iftar traditions in Egypt. Some like to present a lot of food - others less food - I am really interested to know what happens in different homes. For example a touch I like which everyone who visits really appreciates is to offer first a drink and tamr dates with tehina dip and everyone loves this and is surprised by the dip!? This is offered before we settle down to main meal. Now I want to know about what people on this forum like to eat and drink and about different ramadan habits. I would also like to hear your opinions about iftar habits in Egypt. Kol sana w entom taybeen. Thank you
A: In my family we eat If tar together. First we break the fast by some tamr soaked in milk and then we wait for whoever is late to pray together. After the prayer we sit and start with some soup, and a piece of meat or chicken and some macaroni or rice. Green salad is also an essential dish. Usually if the soup is rich in vegetables most of us are already full and the rest of the meal can wait for the following day. I don't cook anything special in ramadan. Our meals are the same as everyday, except when we're receiving guests or share in a dish party. After the Iftar, we pray the night prayer (el 3ishaa) and then we sit together talking or we go out or we read/study [that was necessary in the past years when Ramadan used to come during the academic year]. This year we have more freedom. My family doesn't eat sweets right after Iftar, we wait for a while before doing so, but drinking tea is really essential.