Galayet Bandora (Spiced Tomato and Garlic Skillet)
Local name: قلاية بندورة
In short: Ripe tomatoes fried in olive oil with garlic, onion and fresh chili until jammy, a quick Palestinian skillet to scoop up with warm bread. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Galayet bandora is one of the simplest dishes of the Palestinian table. Ripe tomatoes are fried in plenty of olive oil with onion, garlic and hot green chilies until the juices cook off and a thick, glossy sauce remains. It is eaten at breakfast or lunch straight from the pan with fresh bread, alongside olives and cucumbers, and it is at its best in summer when tomatoes are sweet.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and chilies and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the tomatoes and salt. Cook over medium-high heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then and pressing the tomatoes with the back of a spoon, until the liquid has cooked off and the sauce is thick and oily.
- Stir in the parsley, taste for salt and heat, and serve warm from the pan with bread.
Tips
- Do not rush the reduction. Letting the tomatoes fry in the oil until jammy is what gives this dish its depth. Add a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are not very sweet.
- For more heat, stir in a teaspoon of chili flakes with the garlic, or serve with sliced fresh green chilies on the side.
Questions and answers
What do you serve galayet bandora with?
Warm flatbread, olives, fresh cucumbers and pickles. It is also good spooned over rice.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and the flavor improves. Reheat gently in a pan.
Can I use canned tomatoes?
Yes, use two 400 g (14 oz) cans of whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand. The result will be a little less fresh but still good.
How long does it take to make Galayet Bandora (Spiced Tomato and Garlic Skillet)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Galayet Bandora (Spiced Tomato and Garlic Skillet)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
