Balaleet
Balaleet is one the most popular breakfasts of Emiratis. Bring born and bought up in the United Arab Emirates I have always had such so much love for the food and culture of this beautiful country.
This traditional dish is usually served with boiled garbanzo beans and served with other sides like Hummus, cheese and bread.
Balaleet has contrasting flavors. The noodle pasta/vermicelli is sweet and the eggs are savory.
The bedouins have always prepared eggs with sweet but the noodle pasta/vermicelli came into existence from the traders who introduced pasta to the middle east. This with some boiled beans and a cup of Karak is only you need for breakfast. I could not get hold of the garbanzo beans today. But I definitely recommend it for a complete meal.
Balaleet is a combination of cardamom and saffron flavored sweet vermicelli tht is served with savory eggs. It is also served for iftar during Ramadan. The first time I had it was from Arabian Tea House, a prominent restaurant in Dubai. I wanted to create it at home right away! The ingredients seemed accessible. But the first time I made, it was a big flop coz I made around 400 gms of vermicelli for 6 of us. While preparing balaleet, remember less is more. 😅 Also if you love sweet and savory in one dish, you will certainly love balaleet for breakfast. I feel the dish has an acquired taste, the situation at home was mixed reviews. So I think it is definitely an acquired taste. I loved it though! 😍
I have been delaying to post the recipe of balaleet as I wanted to post for UAE National Day. But I wasn't able to do so. So I thought let me share it anyways 😄, it's never too late for anything.. It's the mind's game that keeps us from doing things sometimes. Anywhoo let's go check out how to prepare this easy Emirati breakfast! 😍
Ingredients -
- 200 gms vermicelli
- 2 1/2 cups water or as required
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp ghee
- Saffron, a pinch
- Powdered Cardamom, a pinch
- 2 eggs
- Salt, a pinch
- Vegetable oil
Instructions :
- Roast the vermicelli in a pan until they turn golden brown, by stirring constantly so that the vermicelli does not burn.
- Next pour your water and bring to a boil and allow to cook for around 5 minutes. Drain water if necessary.
- Now soak saffron in a tbsp of water.
- Next in a large pan, add in your cooked vermicelli and ghee, mix well.
- Next add in your sugar, soaked saffron and a pinch of cardamom powder, mix well and your sweet side of the dish is done.
- Next prepare your eggs by pouring your beaten eggs with a pinch of salt and flip the Omlette once the underside is done and the upside is dry. Once the eggs are cooked for around 2 minutes on medium low heat, set the omlette aside.
- Now for the plating, place the omelet over the bed of cooked sweet vermicelli and your Emirati breakfast is ready to relish preferably with a glass of Karak chai! 😍
