Balila (Lebanese Chickpea Breakfast)
Balila is a traditional Lebanese breakfast featuring warm, tender chickpeas dressed simply with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. It's a comforting and nutritious start to the day, often served with fresh herbs and vegetables.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 258 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 800 gcanned chickpea, rinsed and drained
- 0.5 cupwater
- 4 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 clovegarlic, minced
- 3 tbspolive oil, extra virgin
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
garnish
- 2 tbspparsley, fresh, chopped(optional)
- 2 pcsradish, thinly sliced(optional)
Equipment
saucepan · colander · whisk · small bowl · serving bowl
The method
Step by step
- 1
Combine the chickpeas and water in a medium saucepan.
About 1 min
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the chickpeas are heated through and slightly softened.
Cook’s note: Do not overcook; the chickpeas should remain intact but tender.
- 3
While the chickpeas are simmering, prepare the dressing by whisking together the lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
About 3 min
- 4
Drain the warm chickpeas, reserving a couple of tablespoons of the cooking liquid if desired for extra moisture.
About 1 min
- 5
Transfer the warm chickpeas to a serving bowl and pour the dressing over them.
About 1 min
- 6
Gently toss to coat all the chickpeas evenly.
About 1 min
- 7
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sliced radishes, if using, and serve immediately.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Serve with warm pita bread for dipping.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 257.9kcal
- Protein
- 10.3g
- Carbs
- 28.1g
- Fat
- 11.2g
- Fibre
- 8.3g
- Sugar
- 2.5g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover balila in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, or warm briefly in the microwave.
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