Balaleet (Emirati sweet saffron vermicelli with omelette)
Sweet, scented saffron and cardamom vermicelli topped with a thin savoury omelette, a classic Gulf breakfast treat.
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Melt the ghee in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add the broken vermicelli and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until deep golden brown.
4 min - 2
Carefully pour in the boiling water, then add the sugar, cardamom and the saffron with its water. Stir once.
- 3
Simmer over a low heat, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed and the vermicelli is soft and sticky. Stir in the rose water and cover to keep warm.
9 min - 4
Beat the eggs with the omelette sugar and salt. Heat the oil in a non stick frying pan.
- 5
Pour in the eggs and swirl to make a thin omelette. Cook for 2 minutes until just set, then slide out and cut into strips.
2 min - 6
Spoon the vermicelli onto plates and lay the omelette strips over the top.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.