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    Home » Recipes » Breakfasts

    Published on: November 5, 2013 by Janice Lawandi; Updated on: October 8, 2021 11 Comments

    Belila: an Egyptian breakfast

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    Belila is an Egyptian breakfast made from pearl wheat, anise seed, and toasted nuts.

    Belila_Egyptian breakfast

    Belila_breakfast
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Belila_breakfast grains

    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.

    pearl wheat vs pearl barley | kitchen heals soul

    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

    Belila

    AuthorAuthor : Janice Lawandi
    This Egyptian breakfast dish called belila is similar to oatmeal or porridge, flavoured with anise and made with raisins and toasted nuts.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Egyptian
    Servings 6
    Calories 273 kcal
    Need measurements in CUPSUse the button options below to switch from Metric to US measurements! It's that easy!

    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.

    Notes

    Pearl wheat should be available at your local Middle Eastern store. If not, try pearl barley

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal
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    Comments

    1. wicche says

      October 23, 2018 at 5:26 am

      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 ?

      Reply
    2. Heba El-Hakim says

      March 08, 2014 at 6:04 am

      Can we do this with Pearl Barley? I have Pearl Barley but not Pearl Wheat! I looooove this Egyptian dish!

      Reply
      • Janice Lawandi says

        March 08, 2014 at 3:41 pm

        I would say yes, though I have not tried it. If you do, please let me know how it works out!

        Reply
    3. Liviu Constantin Ciobanu says

      January 28, 2014 at 4:53 am

      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 !

      Reply
      • Janice Lawandi says

        January 28, 2014 at 3:40 pm

        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!

        Reply
    4. Mallory Frayn says

      November 05, 2013 at 8:13 pm

      If this is what they eat for breakfast in Egypt, I'm there!

      Reply
      • Janice Lawandi says

        November 07, 2013 at 2:27 am

        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 😉

        Reply
      • Noha says

        June 29, 2023 at 8:26 pm

        This is not Classic Belila , Belila in Egypt can never be ''Belila" without milk!

        Reply
        • Janice Lawandi says

          November 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm

          Hi Noha,

          I wrote this out according to what my family does. My dad and my uncle taught me this recipe and cooked for me many times.
          We served it with milk and I indicated this in the recipe. Perhaps your family makes it differently?

          Reply
    5. Torviewtoronto says

      November 05, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      looks healthy and delicious

      Reply
      • Janice Lawandi says

        November 07, 2013 at 2:26 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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