Balaleet | Cooking with Zahra

Balaleet holds a cherished place in Emirati culinary traditions, adored for its unique combination of sweetened noodles and savoury eggs. Often enjoyed as a breakfast dish, the delicate vermicelli noodles are gently spiced with cardamom, and sometimes enhanced with a touch of saffron and rose water, lending it a beautiful aroma and a burst of colour. It’s a dish that balances contrasts—sweet yet savoury, delicate yet rich—and each bite feels both comforting and familiar. For me, balaleet carries a sense of nostalgia but with a twist. Growing up in Sudan, I remember a simpler version of balaleet that we prepared at home. We didn’t add eggs, nor did we include the floral notes of saffron and rose water that are typical in the Emirati version. Instead, we kept the noodles softly sweetened with a hint of cardamom, embracing the purity of these few ingredients. There was something truly satisfying about the dish’s simplicity—a comforting warmth that was as humble as it was delicious. Rediscovering balaleet through Emirati cuisine has deepened my appreciation for it and rekindled memories of home. This version celebrates Emirati flavours, where the gentle fragrance of saffron and rose water adds an elegant layer to an already treasured dish. To me, balaleet is a lovely reminder of how a recipe can tell the story of a place while connecting us to our own memories and heritage. #cookingwithzahra #emiratifood #recipe #uaenationaldaycelebration Full Recipe Here: https://cookingwithzahra.com/balaleet-a-sweet-and-savoury-emirati-breakfast-delight/ Follow me for more recipe ideas. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithzahra/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwithzahra/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cookingwithzahra Twitter: https://twitter.com/cookwithzahra Website: https://cookingwithzahra.com/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cookwithzahra/