Ilhan Mohamed Abdi, a former corporate professional, has seen her debut cookbook, The Ramadan Kitchen: Nourishing Recipes from Fast to Feast, resonate with a wide audience, particularly during the month of Ramadan. Abdi initially gained a following by hosting live cooking demonstrations on Instagram during the 2023 Ramadan season, demonstrating recipes and techniques to hundreds of viewers simultaneously.
The cookbook, published in 2026, features over 80 recipes drawing inspiration from Somalia, Egypt, the Middle East, and beyond. It aims to provide accessible and flavorful meals for families observing Ramadan, while also being suitable for year-round cooking. Abdi, who is of Somali heritage and currently resides in London, left her previous career at companies including Goldman Sachs and Amazon to focus on sharing the cuisine of her childhood with a modern audience.
Among the featured recipes is Timir Cake, a spiced date cake with caramel sauce, described as a close relative to sticky toffee pudding. Other highlights from the book include Rolex (Rolled Omelet with Flatbread), Mini Chicken Patties, Bariis Somali (Aromatic Somali Rice), and Khaliat Nahal (Honeycomb Bread). Abdi also shares a recipe for Bur, cardamom-spiced beignets.
Abdi’s approach emphasizes practicality, with recipes designed to fit into busy modern lifestyles. She demonstrated this commitment to accessibility during her Instagram Live sessions, showcasing recipes like her Somali rice, which she consistently prepared in just 15 minutes to prove its ease, and speed. The cookbook reflects this philosophy, aiming to reduce stress associated with preparing Ramadan meals.
The author underwent brain surgery in the period leading up to the book’s publication, a circumstance she acknowledged while promoting the work. The Ramadan Kitchen was published by Interlink Books, and features photography by Haarala Hamilton. The book is divided into chapters organized around the rhythms of Ramadan, including sections for Suhoor, Iftar, Mains, Breads, Spices & Chutneys, Dessert, Drinks, and Eid, with each chapter providing an overview of relevant traditions.
