Here are four far less irritating ways to have fruits during Iftar for those who detest fruit chaat

Every year, as the Ramadan crescent rises in the west, there comes a moment when people all throughout the nation may be divided into two categories. The first category of people are the ones who vouch for fruit chaat and will find a means to prepare it for the table every evening as sure as the sun rises.

It is the second group that is subjected to the caprices of the first. These are the unfortunate people who, as Ali Gul Pir and Akbar Chaudhry so eloquently put it in a recent podcast, concur that chopping up perfectly good fruit, slathering it in orange juice, and, to put the icing on the cake, killing it with a dash of chaat masala is the ultimate culinary crime.

“Fruits ought to be consumed raw. Without elaboration, Pir said, “Stop adding masalas to your fruits to create this abomination.” Chaudhry called the aforementioned horror a “sugary salan” and added, “I hate it with a passion,” for those who were still undecided.

Naturally, the needless killing of apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, and even pineapple (for the brave and courageous) in the name of Chaudhry’s sweet salan is unnecessary. If you share the belief that eating five portions of fruit a day is a good thing, here are four significantly less irritating methods to include fruit in your diet.

1. Whizz up a fruit chiller

It just takes a few minutes to prepare a fruit chiller drink, which is an essential in hot weather. It may be made as a smoothie without dairy. To have a glass of ice-cold refreshing nirvana, cut up one or two apples (no need to peel them), shave off some ginger, add a handful of ice cubes, a sprinkle of honey, and pour some cold water into the blender. Hardcore chemistry isn’t engaged in this. In contrast to baking, you are free to experiment and add as much or as little as you wish. Add an orange, some melon, a piece of watermelon, or all three if you really want to make things fancy. If apples aren’t your thing, try combining strawberries and limopani and mixing them together. The world is your oyster, the blender is your buddy, and the sky is the limit. Go forward and show courage.

2. Have fruit on its own without introducing chaat masala into the mix

Yes, it is correct! Though some may find this surprising, the Pakistani constitution says relatively nothing about the pairing of chaat masala with fruit. Once you’ve had your samosas and pakoras at Ifrari, slice up some melon for dessert. Cut up apples to serve alongside. After dinner, have a pomegranate or orange for dessert. Completely avoid getting close to the tentacles of chaat masala or kala namak. Your health will appreciate it. If you feel that your fruit is way too alone by itself, combine it all, add some honey and lemon juice, and serve yourself a faux fruit chaat.

3. Strawberries dipped in chocolate

Treat yourself to a dish of melted chocolate and another bowl of melted chocolate if you want to go really crazy. Cut the ends of the strawberries into pieces, then coat them with melted chocolate. If you choose dark chocolate, which is high in antioxidants when ingested in moderation, you may even convince yourself that your treat is both tasty and healthy without feeling guilty for even a moment.

4. Put together a fruit dessert

Finally, you might wish to surprise your family by taking a further detour. For those of you who are lucky enough to have plenty of time and even more gas (or a microwave with a convection oven), give up on bakeries and make yourself an easy apple pie that requires no hassle or muss. Four apples, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, and unsalted butter are all you’ll need. Preheat the oven at 180°C. Combine 4 ounces of unsalted butter, 1 ounce sugar, 1 egg, vanilla, 10 ounces flour, and 1 tsp baking powder into a dough. Roll out one ball of dough into your dish after dividing it into two. Add four chopped and peeled apples, two ounces of sugar, a pinch of crushed walnuts or almonds, a pinch of ground cinnamon, and as much lemon zest as you like on top of this. Roll out the remaining dough, place it on top, drizzle with vanilla and egg, and bake for 30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.

Although it may seem difficult at first, making apple pie is a worthwhile endeavor that becomes simpler with practice. Still, there’s always the tried-and-true traditional fruit-and-custard combo if the notion is too bland to even entertain. After preparing the custard, add the apples, bananas, and grapes. In addition to helping you meet your daily requirement of three fruits and vegetables, a fruit custard that includes dairy products is a great addition to a well-balanced meal.

That’s all, then. There are four ways—some simple, some not so simple—to eat fruit and stay away from fruit chaat. For everyone who despises fruit chaat, it’s a gastronomic victory.