Bsissa (Roasted Grain and Spice Breakfast Porridge) (ةسيسب)
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Roasted wheat flour (or roasted barley flour) — 200 g (1 2/3 cups)
- Roasted chickpea flour — 50 g (1/2 cup)
- Ground fennel seed — 5 g (1 tsp)
- Ground aniseed — 3 g (1/2 tsp)
- Ground cinnamon — 3 g (1/2 tsp)
- Olive oil — 80 ml (1/3 cup)
- Honey — 40 g (2 tbsp)
- Almonds, chopped, to serve — 30 g (1/4 cup)
Method
- Combine the roasted wheat flour, chickpea flour, fennel, aniseed and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
- Drizzle in the olive oil and honey, mixing thoroughly until a thick, crumbly- but-cohesive paste forms.
- Adjust with a touch more olive oil if the mixture feels too dry.
- Spoon into bowls and top with chopped almonds.
- Serve at room temperature.
Introduction: A nourishing, naturally sweet blend of roasted grains, nuts and warming spices, mixed with olive oil into a thick, energising paste.
Cultural Background: Bsissa has long been valued in Algerian households as a fortifying breakfast, historically prepared for travellers and workers needing sustained energy through a long day.
Tips: Pre-roasted flours are traditional; if using raw flour, toast it in a dry pan first until fragrant. Adjust the honey to taste depending on how sweet you prefer it.
Variations: Add sesame seeds for extra crunch and nutrition. Mix with warm milk instead of oil for a softer, porridge-like consistency.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Naturally vegetarian and vegan if honey is replaced with a plant-based sweetener such as date syrup.
Serving Suggestions: Serve as a filling breakfast, especially useful before a long day of work or travel.
Storage: The dry spiced flour mix can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month; mix fresh with oil and honey before serving.
Reheating: Not applicable — served at room temperature.
Nutrition: 310 kcal | Protein 8g | Carbs 36g | Fat 16g
FAQs:
Q: Where can I find roasted wheat and chickpea flour?
A: They’re available at North African and Middle Eastern grocers, sometimes already blended as a bsissa mix.
Q: Is bsissa very sweet?
A: It’s only mildly sweet, closer to a hearty energy paste than a dessert.
- Roasted wheat flour (or roasted barley flour) — 200 g (1 2/3 cups)
- Roasted chickpea flour — 50 g (1/2 cup)
- Ground fennel seed — 5 g (1 tsp)
- Ground aniseed — 3 g (1/2 tsp)
- Ground cinnamon — 3 g (1/2 tsp)
- Olive oil — 80 ml (1/3 cup)
- Honey — 40 g (2 tbsp)
- Almonds, chopped, to serve — 30 g (1/4 cup)
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