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Why a bowl of pheni for sehri is a good idea

Why a bowl of pheni for sehri is a good idea

Rawalpindi likes to start its fast on a sweet note with this vermicelli that is fried and served in milk
Updated 23 May, 2019

While the city’s residents retire to bed, traditional sweet shops open their kitchens to start preparing sehri soon after taraveeh. While many people opt for dishes such as nihari or mutton karahi, there are also some traditional sehri dishes in high demand during the month of Ramazan.

One of these dishes is a bowl of pheni, which can also be eaten as dessert.

Also read: Here's everything you need to know about kheer, including this killer recipe

Sweet shops and bakeries in downtown Rawalpindi, from Raja Bazaar to Purana Qila, Bhabara Bazaar, Saidpuri Gate, Banni and Katarpura specialise in making the dish, but only a few are popular among locals.

A kind of vermicelli, pheni is fried and served in milk. The noodle is made from semolina, butter and fine wheat flour. Semolina, flour, sugar and butter are mixed into dough that is left in ghee for 15 minutes.

The dough is then stretched using a mixture of corn flour and ghee and doubled, and the process is repeated 10 or 11 times before the dough has been flattened and is ready to be deep fried. The pheni is fried and served with milk and sugar, and garnished with almonds and pistachios.

The pheni is made from semolina and ghee so it is digested slowly and keeps you from feeling hungry during the fast

The origin of the dish is debated – the name appears to have come from the Middle East or Central Asia, but the dish itself is similar to Indian puri and Rajisthani sutarfeni.

Mohammad Saleem, the owner of a sweet shop in Kartarpura, said pheni is a traditional Punjabi dish made mostly by people from Amritsar and Lahore. “We have been making it in Rawalpindi for the last 60 years,” he said.

Although pheni is made year round, the real season for it is Ramazan, he said, during which people have it for sehri.

He said that pheni was originally made with semolina, but some people used fine wheat flour, which ruined the taste of the dish.

There are also two types of pheni prepared at his shop – one made using vegetable oil and the other in desi ghee.

Pheni is better than bread because it is made from semolina and richer in fibre

“The time for sehri is short, so we prefer a bowl of milk and pheni and a cup of tea. The pheni is made from semolina and ghee so it is digested slowly and you do not feel hungry during the fast,” Naeem Ahmed, who lives in Chaklala III and was visiting the store to purchase pheni, said.

He said children and elderly people in particular want something that is healthier than spicy food, making pheni a good option for them. The dish also requires little time to prepare, so a bowl of pheni is ready within 10 minutes.

Satellite Town resident Suleman Malik said he used to eat French toast for sehri but has taken up pheni because he comes back home from work late and does not have much time to pick up food. “The semolina is better than bread made from fine wheat flour because it is richer in fibre,” he added.

Raja Zahid from Bhabara Bazaar said pheni is a fresh item available in the city that is also affordable, which is why he prefers it.


Originally published in Dawn, May 29th, 2017

Comments

SATT May 30, 2017 09:11am
Best Idea.
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Javed May 22, 2018 01:17pm
Pheni for sahoor is an excellent idea for acidity and heartburn all day long.
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taimoor sultan May 22, 2018 01:21pm
Very unhealthy. Sugary foods should not be consumed during sahoor. Protein is best as it digests slowly. Eggs and yogurt(with fruits) are best options without any bread.
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Sadia Mushtaq May 22, 2018 02:20pm
Great
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Uthmaan May 22, 2018 02:22pm
False. Ghee/Banaspati clogs arteries and theres a reason its banned in some countries. Fasting has positive health benefits, dont ruin it by consuming junk.
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Sadia Mushtaq May 22, 2018 02:22pm
@taimoor sultan People are used to heavy dishes. Youngys can enjoy
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Sbha May 22, 2018 03:16pm
Suggest the writer to share some actual scientific nutritional information on such foods rather then some anecdotal references.
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arfan aslam khan May 22, 2018 05:09pm
This a great thought and ideas for the rich and well off people,WHAT about the majority of POOR people of Pakistan who are fasting with almost anything,These greedy shop keepers should reduce the price for needy persons,instead they almost double the prices so only the well off can buy.There is a limit to the greedtness.
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Reza Mehmanparast May 22, 2018 06:21pm
Kashew pheni will be a better idea for Ramazan.
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Noname May 22, 2018 06:47pm
@taimoor sultan Very good choice.
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Idrees May 22, 2018 06:50pm
I have been having the same Sheri, pheni in milk and then tracing for years now. Only 5 minutes and I am done with Sheri. Love it. See pheni making on you tube.
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BRR May 22, 2018 08:26pm
There is nothing good about a carb filled deep fried very sweet food - better to eat it in very very small quantity.
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Imran Ahmed May 22, 2018 09:02pm
Yummy
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jaredlee67 May 22, 2018 10:19pm
Pheni is made from ghee, but who ensures that the ghee used is of good quality
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خلائی مخلوق May 23, 2018 01:54am
@Javed Are you Arab? If not then in Urdu its Sehar or Sehri
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joe May 29, 2018 07:22am
Pheni will make you Thirsty very UN-Healthy food people should be eating fresh Fruits, vegetables, (slow digest) plus milk and yogurt
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foodforlife May 27, 2019 09:26am
Fruit and dairy don't mix - slow poison stresses the digestive system, not at all good. no matter what people say write etc - avoid dairy and fruit consumption within a hour, avoid mixing. Per ayurveda
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