How to Celebrate Ramadan in All Its Parts

(Gerry Furth-Sides) We were so fortunate to visit Forn Al Hara and Le Mirage bakeries in “Little Arabia” leading up to the first of two month-long Ramadan holiday celebrations, Eid al-Fitr.  The second arrives in about two months, Eid al-Adhar. The joyous bakes made specially for the holy days, but the spirit of it as well. It is a time for forgiveness and reflection, rejoicing and blessings.  What’s not to celebrate for everyone, and to do this all year.

First up:  Forn Al Hara. Trays of miniature flaky filo dough pastries rolled into what look like fields of edible flowers and dense, moist pastries shaped in flat slabs or mounds appear to undulate across the glass counters in the fading sunlight. It is the first thing you see when you walk in the door even if it is across the room. 

Neatly laid stacks of plastic boxes filled with a variety of beautiful treats nearly take your breath away.  What a special time in Little Arabia during Ramadan! Our favorite special cookie, Ma’amoul, is a tradition at Eid al-Fitr.

Not a minute’s lull between lively customers coming for the best, best savory and sweet dishes or the friendly staff preparing them, fast, fast, fast to be ready for Iftar (break-the-fast dinner). 

Customers can arrive to survey the treats and put in an order and then come back for their full meals; call in on the phone, or dine-in to linger and eat. Each order takes about 30 minutes.

Last year we were so concerned that sweetest, talented, Forn Al Hara owner-chef, Muhammad Alam was so tired from working 12 hour shifts.  Of course, this lovely man still tried to send us home with a gift box of traditional Maamoul and ka’ak. 

This time his nephew, Nader, capably manned the bustling post this day and “took good care of us,” as promised. A table set up turned out to be a plate and take out box! Finger food defined!)

A young customer who was in line waiting was happy to offer suggestions when we asked about what he like to eat. We knew we were looking for a Maheesh (flatbread). He immediately suggested his favorite of his with ground beef (my new favorite) and a cheese favorite of his children.

We were also advised to order the little closed spinach pies, a cousin of Greek spanakopita. These turned out to be pillowy and tasty, also redolent with the taste of pomegranate molasses. 

We could not decide what holiday pastries and cookies to take away and so seemed to take all as happily explained by another customer.  Nader explained each one when I called during lunchtime today!

My confirmed new all-time holiday favorite is pistachio paste Ma’amoul, light, buttery and not too sweet. It is the bigger cake, bottom row. I am grateful enough for this alone.

Ramadan is not complete without Ma’amoul. These sweet cookies are not only popular  in Lebanon, but in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria too. These crumbly and buttery cookie mounds are as dense as a cake.  They are made with rose water can have a filling of dates, walnuts or pistachios, and sometimes almonds.  They are cousins to my absolute favorite Polverones, the Mexican Wedding Cookie.

Forn Al Hara, 512 S. Brookhurst St, Anaheim,CA 92804, 714.758.3777, Phone: (714) 758-3777.

Menu and details: Fornalhara.com

This (Le) Mirage is a real treasure for those who know that a bouza ice cream machine is in their back room.  We knew.  It was our second visit. 

In the hunt for Bouza: (1) don’t be fooled by look-alike, Melissa’s flowery cabbage.   (2) ASK for Syrian Bouza, or sticky ice cream. The shop also sells Italian gelato and dazzling arrays of pastries.(3) Don’t think the shelf at the door only holds business cards- it’s the original ice cream maker! Weighs a ton, and had to be replaced with another that has USA-friendly electrical system. See Maher Nakhal and the machine out back from the Le Mirage Facebook.

For more reading, please see //localfoodeater.com/shoppers-guide-to-aneaheims-magical-little-arabia/

Le Mirage, Maher Nakhal bouza, 100 S Brookhurst St, Anaheim, CA  92804, 714-491-3855.

lemiragepastry.com