Balaleet (Sweet Saffron Vermicelli with Savory Omelet)
Local name: بلاليط
In short: Thin vermicelli toasted and cooked in sweet saffron and cardamom syrup, then topped with a soft turmeric omelet for a sweet and savory breakfast. 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
- 385 kcal
Balaleet is the Gulf breakfast that puts sweet and savory on one plate. Thin vermicelli noodles are toasted until golden, then cooked with sugar, cardamom, saffron and rose water until tender and fragrant. A thin, lightly salted omelet goes on top. It is eaten on holiday mornings and weekends in Bahrain, and the first bite of sweet noodle and warm egg is surprisingly good.
Instructions
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the vermicelli and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until golden brown.
- Pour in the water and add the sugar, cardamom, saffron and its soaking water, and the salt. Stir, bring to a boil, then lower the heat.
- Simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the liquid is absorbed and the noodles are soft. Stir in the rose water, cover and rest for 5 minutes.
- Beat the eggs with the turmeric and salt. Heat the tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Pour in the eggs and cook for 2 minutes until the edges set, then flip and cook for 1 minute until just firm. Slide out and cut into strips.
- Mound the vermicelli on a plate, arrange the omelet strips on top and scatter with pistachios if you like.
Tips
- Toast the vermicelli to a deep golden color, since it gives the noodles a nutty flavor and keeps them from clumping. Watch closely because it can burn in seconds.
- Use more or less sugar to taste. Some families top the noodles with sautéed onions or potatoes instead of the omelet.
Questions and answers
Is balaleet sweet or savory?
Both. The noodles are sweet and fragrant, and the omelet on top is salty, so each forkful has both flavors.
Can I make balaleet ahead?
The noodles keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water. Make the omelet fresh.
What vermicelli should I use?
Thin wheat vermicelli or angel hair pasta broken into short pieces. Rice vermicelli will not give the same texture.
How long does it take to make Balaleet (Sweet Saffron Vermicelli with Savory Omelet)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Balaleet (Sweet Saffron Vermicelli with Savory Omelet)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
