Belila is an Egyptian breakfast made from pearl wheat, anise seed, and toasted nuts.
What is belila?
I know you are probably wondering what belila is. It's an Egyptian breakfast dish (but it's also yummy as a snack or a hearty dessert). If you are somebody who loves rice and grain dishes, this is definitely one for you. Belila is made from pearl wheat, cooked in a light syrup with anise seed and golden raisins, served with chopped toasted nuts and a splash of milk. It's one of my fave Egyptian dishes, after pistachio baklava.
What is pearl wheat?
Pearl wheat looks like pearl barley, but it's not barley. Pearl wheat is white wheat that has had the outer bran husk removed. A pearling machine is used to remove the hull. So it cooks faster than the whole wheat grain and also can be stored longer because it is less likely to spoil when pearled.
This is one of the few places where I think raisins are acceptable because the cooking revives them into plump, delicious morsels. This dish is a little nutty, with a light sweet licorice flavor. Pearl wheat should be available at your local Middle Eastern store. If not, try pearl barley which you can find on Amazon.
📖 Recipe
Belila
Ingredients
- 185 grams pearl wheat
- 500 mL cold water
- 30 grams granulated sugar
- 7.5 mL anise seed
- 50 grams golden raisins
- almonds toasted for garnish
- whole milk (3.25 % fat) to serve
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine the wheat, water, sugar, anise seed, and raisins. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce the heat so that the mixture is just simmering (like you are cooking rice).
- Cook the wheat for about 40 minutes, til the grains are a bit chewy but tender, and the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- Serve warm in bowls with a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts and a splash or two of cold milk.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
wicche says
Fyi: bought my Cedar brand pearled wheat at Wal-Mart, right next to the pearled barley. Was curious, the possibility of cooking in slow cooker, throwing together night before then wake to nice warm belila ?
Heba El-Hakim says
Can we do this with Pearl Barley? I have Pearl Barley but not Pearl Wheat! I looooove this Egyptian dish!
Janice Lawandi says
I would say yes, though I have not tried it. If you do, please let me know how it works out!
Liviu Constantin Ciobanu says
Where can I buy pearl wheat ? Spice stores in Québec sell a lot of Phoenicia products but no pearl wheat, although we can see it within Phoenicia products; elsewhere, even in "specialized" naturist stores couldn't find pearl wheat at all. Please give me an address, Québec or Montreal.. Thank you !
Janice Lawandi says
Hi! I bought this pearl wheat from Adonis, the one on Sauvé in Montreal that is close to Marché Central. I have checked the Adonis location in downtown Montreal, but did not see the pearl wheat there, unfortunately. The brand of the package I bought was Cedar Phoenecia. Good luck and I hope you find the pearl wheat soon!
Mallory Frayn says
If this is what they eat for breakfast in Egypt, I'm there!
Janice Lawandi says
It is! For real! If you are a huge fan of rice and grains and can eat bowls and bowls of them, this is definitely a breakfast for you 😉
Torviewtoronto says
looks healthy and delicious
Janice Lawandi says
Thank you!