Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs
Ripe tomatoes crushed into a pan with olive oil and garlic until they collapse into a thick, jammy sauce, then eggs cracked directly in and cooked until just set — the simplest fast meal in the Lebanese kitchen, eaten with torn pita.
Cook this hands-free
All 214 Sofra recipes are free in the app. This one includes step-by-step English voice narration, hands-free Cooking Mode, and the original oud music by Charbel Rouhana.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Ingredients
- 500 g, roughly chopped ripe tomatoes
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 tsp dried chili flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until just fragrant — do not brown.
- Add tomatoes. They will spit and steam. Cook, pressing and breaking them apart with the back of a spoon.
- Add salt and chili flakes. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes collapse completely and the sauce reduces to a thick, jammy consistency.
- Make two or three wells in the tomato sauce. Crack an egg into each well.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 3–4 minutes until the egg whites are just set but yolks remain runny.
- Scatter fresh cilantro or parsley over the top. Serve immediately with warm pita bread for scooping.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs?
Ripe tomatoes crushed into a pan with olive oil and garlic until they collapse into a thick, jammy sauce, then eggs cracked directly in and cooked until just set — the simplest fast meal in the Lebanese kitchen, eaten with torn pita.
Where is Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs from?
Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs comes from Lebanese Coastal. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs vegetarian?
As written, Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs contains no meat or fish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. It does include dairy or other animal-derived ingredients, so it is not vegan. Check the full ingredient list against your own dietary needs.
What can I use instead of dried chili flakes in Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs?
The dried chili flakes called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs?
In a Lebanese mains spread, Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs is typically served with rice or warm flatbread, a simple salad such as fattoush or tabbouleh, and pickles or yogurt on the side.
Can I make Qalayet Bandora — Sautéed Tomatoes with Eggs ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
Yes — leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat gently (or bring to room temperature for cold dishes) and taste to adjust seasoning before serving. Dishes with fresh herbs or dressing are freshest the day they are made.