Chebab (Gulf Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)
Local name: جباب
In short: Thick, fluffy yeasted pancakes colored with saffron and turmeric and scented with cardamom, served with date syrup and soft cheese. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 45 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Chebab are the fluffy golden pancakes of Bahrain and the Gulf, eaten at breakfast and at the sunrise meal in Ramadan. The batter includes yogurt and a little yeast, so the pancakes puff and have a slightly tangy flavor, and saffron and cardamom give the scent. They are served warm with date syrup and soft cheese, or with honey, and some families add a fried egg.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, cardamom, turmeric and salt in a large bowl.
- Beat the eggs with the yogurt, warm milk, saffron and its soaking water, and rose water. Pour into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Cover and rest for 45 minutes, until the batter is puffy and bubbly. Stir gently.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and brush with a little ghee. Pour in about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and spread slightly.
- Cook for 2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the underside is golden, then flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Keep the pancakes warm under a cloth and serve three per person with date syrup and soft cheese.
Tips
- Keep the heat at medium. Too hot and the outside browns before the middle is cooked, leaving a gummy center.
- If the batter thickens as it stands, loosen it with a splash of milk. Leftover pancakes freeze well for 2 months and reheat in a toaster.
Questions and answers
Can I make chebab without yeast?
Yes, replace the yeast with an extra 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and skip the long rest, though the flavor will be less tangy.
What do you serve with chebab?
Date syrup, honey, soft cheese, butter, or a fried egg. Arabic coffee or sweet tea on the side.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days and reheat in a pan or toaster.
How long does it take to make Chebab (Gulf Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chebab (Gulf Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 70 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
