Balaleet (Emirati Sweet Vermicelli with Omelette)
Local name: بلاليط
In short: Toasted vermicelli simmered with saffron, cardamom and rose water until sweet and fragrant, topped with a thin savory omelette. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 415 kcal
Balaleet puts sweet and savory on one plate. Fine vermicelli is toasted in ghee, simmered with sugar, cardamom, saffron and rose water, then topped with a thin, lightly salted omelette. It is a classic Emirati breakfast, especially on the morning of Eid, and the contrast between the perfumed noodles and the plain eggs is what makes it work. Some cooks add chopped pistachios or a drizzle of date syrup.
Instructions
- Melt the ghee in a wide, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the broken vermicelli and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden brown. Watch closely, because it burns quickly.
- Pour in the water and add the sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until the noodles are tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the cardamom, saffron water and rose water. Cover and rest off the heat for 5 minutes. The vermicelli should be moist and slightly sticky.
- Beat the eggs with the salt. Heat the oil in a 24 cm (9.5 in) non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, pour in the eggs and tilt the pan to spread them thinly.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just set, then flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Slide the omelette out and cut it into wide strips, or leave it whole.
- Mound the vermicelli on a plate, lay the omelette over the top and scatter with pistachios. Serve warm.
Tips
- Break the vermicelli small and toast it evenly. The nutty, golden color keeps the dish from tasting flat and overly sweet.
- Sweetness is a matter of taste. Start with 60 g (1/4 cup) sugar and add more at the end, or replace some of it with a spoonful of date syrup.
Questions and answers
Is balaleet sweet or savory?
Both. The vermicelli is sweet and floral with saffron and rose water, and the omelette on top is plain and salty, so each bite balances the other.
Can I use spaghetti instead of vermicelli?
Thin vermicelli is best. If you only have spaghetti, break it into short lengths and toast it the same way, adding 2 minutes to the simmering time.
Can I make balaleet ahead of time?
Cook the vermicelli up to a day ahead and reheat it with a splash of water. Make the omelette fresh so it stays tender.
How long does it take to make Balaleet (Emirati Sweet Vermicelli with Omelette)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Balaleet (Emirati Sweet Vermicelli with Omelette)?
About 415 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 57 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 415 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 360 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
