Al-Qalam 
By Al-Qalam Reporter
Jameela Sayed is a culinary creator whose name has become synonymous with effortless, delicious meals that cater to both the seasoned home cooks and beginners alike. Sayed, formerly from Umzinto in KwaZulu-Natal now lives in Durban. She has built a reputation as a food blogger whose recipes have graced kitchens all over the globe, from bustling cities to humble homes.
A self-taught cook, Sayed has transformed her passion for food into an inspiring journey of creating easy-to-follow recipes that resonate with people from all walks of life. She is the culinary force behind Cooking and Baking Creations, a series of recipe books that she authored.
Her books have travelled to places like Pakistan, India, and Canada and are frequently requested by global audiences who follow her on social media. With Ramadan approaching, Sayed says it is undoubtedly one of her favourite times of the year. Sayed cherishes the spiritual essence of the month but also relishes the opportunity to create meals that bring families together. She loves Ramadan because it’s a time of reflection, family, and togetherness. “It’s also when the kitchen becomes a hive of activity, filled with the aromas of carefully crafted dishes that everyone eagerly anticipates after a day of fasting. In Islam, when a woman spends time in the kitchen to cook for her family, she gets the sawab for that. In Ramadan, that sawab is doubled,” said Sayed.
The atmosphere and the joy of sharing special meals are what make Ramadan such a highlight for Sayed, and it’s something that her audience eagerly looks forward to every year.
Sayed’s culinary journey began at an early age when her mother fell ill. This forced her to take over the kitchen alongside her sister, where she quickly learned the ins and outs of cooking without any formal training. “We were pushed into the deep end with no help, but we embraced the challenge. I was only 12 years old when I started cooking,” she said.
As she grew older, she spent her time experimenting with flavours, and developing a deep love for cooking. Today, Jameela has authored multiple cookbooks, and though she has never attended any formal cooking school, her immense success speaks volumes about her natural culinary talent and creativity. She has a following of over 80,000 on Instagram.
She says over the years, the responses she has received to her recipes have been overwhelming. “I’m truly humbled by the feedback I get from people around the world. It’s amazing to know that my recipes are being tried in kitchens across the globe,” said Sayed.
Sayed says it’s the simplicity of ingredients and easy-to-follow methods that make her recipes so popular. “People love the ease of creating something delicious without needing complicated ingredients or methods,” said Sayed.
The constant support and positive feedback from her growing community is a driving force that motivates her to continue creating and compiling more cookbooks.
Sayed has authored several cookbooks, each filled with accessible, mouth-watering recipes that are perfect for everyday meals and special occasions.
Despite being a self-taught cook, her cookbooks reflect a deep understanding of flavours, textures, and techniques that make even the most intricate dishes seem simple.
As Ramadan approaches, Sayed says there are several useful tips to help ease the preparations for the holy month, especially when it comes to savoury snacks and meals.
She says preparation is key to keeping things stress-free during Ramadan.
“Start preparing your savoury fillings at least two weeks before Ramadan. Do one savoury a day, Make the filling in the morning, and by the afternoon, it’s cooled and ready to be filled,” she said.
She also suggests freezing the savoury items on a tray before storing them in zip-lock bags, which helps save space in the freezer. Sayed said when it comes to crumbing savoury snacks, she prefers using a thin flour paste and rolling them in breadcrumbs instead of dipping them in egg. This results in crispier, less oily treats.
Sayed’s Cooking Tips for Ramadan:
1. Always Prepare in Advance: Starting your prep early is key to managing the busy days of Ramadan.
2. Create a Weekly Meal Plan: This helps you stay organised and ensures you have all ingredients on hand for each meal.
3. Marinate meat in the Morning: Letting the meat marinate while you go about your day ensures deeper flavour.
4. Grill Instead of Stove Cooking: Grilling is less time-consuming and yields great results, especially when feeding a family after a long day of fasting.
5. Portion Control: When making recipes, consider halving the amounts. You don’t want to waste food, and it’s better to cook in smaller quantities when you’re fasting.
6. Eat Healthy: Ramadan is the perfect time to focus on healthy eating. It can even help with weight loss if done right.
