Batheeth / Batheetha (Emirati Dessert)

 

          Batheeth / Batheetha is a traditional Emirati Dessert of UAE. It is totally sugar free and is prepared out of pureed dates, dry roasted whole wheat flour, butter, cardamom powder and saffron infused rose water. Dry ginger powder may be added if preferred. 

        

            It is a very easy and a healthy dessert that can be dished out in a jiffy. They can be enjoyed as cookies, crumbs or in the form of balls, coated with crushed pistachios, sesame seeds, etc. it is usually served with Gahwa or Arabic Coffee. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this classic dessert. 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 18-20 dates, soaked for an hour, pitted & pureed
• 2 tbsp. butter 
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• a pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. rose water
• 1/4 cup each of crushed pistachios, toasted sesame seeds, fresh grated coconut & crushed dry rose petals 

          In a pan, dry roast the whole wheat flour on a low flame till you get a nice aroma. Switch off the flame and add the pureed dates, saffron-rose water, cardamom powder and butter.

          Combine everything well and knead it into a dough. Make small round balls of equal size and coat with the crushed pistachios, toasted sesame seeds, fresh grated coconut & crushed dry rose petals. Voila, your Emirati dessert is ready to be enjoyed. 

 

                                 18-20 dates, soaked for an hour, pitted & pureed

                       Dry roast the flour till you get a nice aroma. Then switch off the flame. 

                        Add the pureed dates, saffron-rose water, cardamom powder & butter.

                                  Combine everything well and knead it into a dough. 

                                 Form small round balls of equal size.

                    Coat with the crushed pistachios, toasted sesame seeds, grated coconut &

                    crushed dry rose petals. 

Voila, your Emirati dessert is ready to be enjoyed. 

Balaleet (Emirati Breakfast)

 

          Balaleet is a traditional Emirati breakfast that many people are not aware of. It is a sweet and savory dish, comprising of fragrant vermicelli and fried egg. The vermicelli is sweet and is flavored with cardamom powder, turmeric powder, saffron and rose water. 

          This is then served with a topping of an egg omelet that is also flavored with the same ingredients as that of vermicelli. So a very unique style of breakfast. This was my first try and I quite liked this combo. You can enjoy the sweet vermicelli as a dessert too, minus the egg. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this easy classic UAE dish.  

Ingredients - 

• 200 gms. vermicelli 
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 2 cups hot water
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste 
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of turmeric powder
• pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios or any dry fruits

Fried Egg - 

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of salt & pepper powder or to taste 
• few strands of saffron soaked in 1 tbsp. rose water

Vermicelli - 

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the vermicelli till light brown. Add 2 cups of hot water and cook till done, but al dente. Drain well and bring it back to the pan.

          Add butter, sugar, cardamom powder, turmeric powder and saffron infused rose water. Mix well and cook till the sugar dissolves and all the moisture has evaporated. 

          Transfer to a serving plate and keep aside. Meanwhile prepare the omelette.

Fried Egg - 

          In a bowl, beat the eggs, pinch of salt & pepper, cardamom powder and saffron infused rose water.

          Heat oil in a pan and make an omelette with the beaten egg. Fry on both sides till done. Place it on the prepared vermicelli. Garnish with chopped pistachios and enjoy as a breakfast. 

                   Heat oil in a pan & sauté the vermicelli till light brown. Add 2 cups of hot 

                   water & cook till done, but al dente. 

                                  Drain well.

                      Bring it back to the pan.  Add butter, sugar, cardamom powder, turmeric 

                      powder & saffron infused rose water. Mix well and cook till the sugar 

                      dissolves and all the moisture has evaporated. 

                                  Transfer to a serving plate and keep aside.

                      In a bowl, beat the eggs, pinch of salt & pepper, cardamom powder and 

                      saffron infused rose water.

                                 Heat oil in a pan and make an omelette with the beaten egg. 

                                  Fry on both sides till done. 

                                  Place it on the prepared vermicelli.

                                 Garnish with chopped pistachios and enjoy as a breakfast.