How does a Russian feast for Eid al-Adha look like

The sacrificial feast of Eid al-Adha is considered sacred by Muslims around the world, and begins on the 10th of Zulhijjah (the fourth month after Ramadan, prescribed for the pilgrimage to Mecca) and lasts for 2-3 days. This year the date falls on Sept. 1.

Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim, who agreed to sacrifice his own son, but at the last minute Allah allowed him to replace the boy with a ram.

Preparation for the feast begins 20 days prior, when it is prohibited to rejoice, wear new clothes, cut your hair, and etc. More joy awaits believers, however, and the celebration starts early in the morning with prayers at the mosque and the imam’s khutba.

The focial point is the animal sacrifice, and in Russia a mature lamb is usually offered, but it can also be a goat or a cow.

Various lamb dishes are usually the highlight of the Eid al-Adha table. / Legion Media

This is accompanied by important rituals. Muslims say a believer can only enter heaven on the back of a holy animal, and it can never be reached if you fail to bring a sacrifice.

It’s strictly prohibited to leave any sacrificial meat after the holiday, but, frankly speaking, this is unlikely. Who can resist such delightful freshly cooked traditional meat dishes?! Furthermore, some of it is given to friends, neighbors and the poor.

What dishes are there at the festive table? Here’s a sample menu for Russian Islamic Eid al-Adha celebration: definitely worth trying and cooking!

Mutton and radish starter

How to make it:

1. Finely slice the mutton. Add sliced radish, pepper, salt. Mix and add sour cream.

2. Finely slice the bread. Spread the butter on each slice.

3. Put the mutton-radish mixt atop the butter on bread slices.

Leg of lamb broth

How to make it:

1. Chop the lamb head and legs, put into cooking pot, cover with cold water. Add garlic, boil for 3 hours.

2. Take lamb head and legs out of the broth, remove meat from the bones.

3. Sift the broth, add salt and pepper, bring to a boil. Add meat and boil at low heat for 20 minutes.

4. Mix add yolks with vinegar, and season the broth.

Stewed lamb with leeks

How to make it:

1. Cut the lamb into thin chunks. Season with salt and pepper and brown in the butter.

2. Chop the leeks coarsely, place in a little bit of simmering water, and stew for 20 minutes.

3. Add flour, pour in the cream, and bring to a boil.

Peaches in sour cream

How to make it:

1. Mix sour cream with icing sugar, add vanilla sugar. Leave in cool place for 1 hour, then whisk.

2. Dissolve gelatin in a small amount of water, add. Continue whisking for 3-4 minutes.

3. Cut peaches into halves, remove the pits. Put into dessert bowls, cover with cream. Decorate with ground walnuts.

Sea buckthorn and wild strawberries leaves tea

How to make it:

1. Pour boiling water over the teapot. Put sea buckthorn and wild strawberries leaves and mint inside. Cover with hot water (it should take ⅓ of the teapot capacity), mix and let brew for 3 minutes.

2. Add green tea, add more hot water. Cover with napkin and leave for 20 minutes. Sift.

3. Pour the brew into the tea bowls, add sugar, dilute with hot water.

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