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selek-be-loubieh

A garlicky Lebanese dish with greens and beans. selek-be-loubieh is one of those meals I never loved as a kid— but now I can’t get enough.
PREP TIME
15 minutes
COOK TIME
20 minutes
SERVES
4 as a side, 2–3 as a main

About this recipe

selek-be-loubieh translates to silverbeet with black-eyed peas. It’s one of those quiet Lebanese dishes that doesn’t ask for much—just silverbeet, legumes, olive oil, and a good handful of fresh coriander. Gently cooked in one pan, this dish is simple, earthy, and full of soul.

There’s nothing more satisfying than these traditional plant-based meals. I’m on a mission to learn every recipe Mum made—the ones I pushed aside as a child and now find myself craving. selek-be-loubieh is one of those comforting dishes I didn’t appreciate until later in life.

If you’ve tried my Chicory with Sautéed Onions (Hindbi) or Scrambled Eggs with Green Broad Beans, this recipe belongs in that same category—easy, nostalgic, and deeply nourishing.

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Ingredients

  • 1⁄4 teaspoon sugar
  • 3⁄4 cup dried black-eyed peas
  • 1 bunch silverbeet (including stems), washed well
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 onions, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped (not mashed)
  • 1 fresh chilli, diced (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh coriander, finely chopped (with stems)
  • Salt, to taste
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Notes from Rouba

  • Add coriander in the final 5 minutes for a fresher flavour
  • Don’t over-stir or the texture will turn mushy
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day
  • A drizzle of good olive oil before serving takes it to the next level

Method

Step 1. Boil the Silverbeet and Black-Eyed Peas

Roughly shred the silverbeet leaves and dice the stems. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and stir in the sugar. Add the black-eyed peas and silverbeet (leaves and stems) to the pot. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the peas are soft and break easily when pressed between your fingers. Once cooked, strain well and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2. Sauté the Aromatics

In a deep frypan or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, garlic, and chilli if using. Sauté until the onions soften and the garlic is fragrant, without letting it brown. This creates the flavour base for the dish.

Step 3. Cook the Greens and Peas

Add the drained black-eyed peas and silverbeet mixture to the sauté pan. Season with salt and gently stir to combine. Cook over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Try not to stir too often or too vigorously—you want to keep some texture.

During the final 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped coriander and let it gently wilt into the mixture.

selek-be-loubieh

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 3 as a main

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 3/4 cup dried black-eyed peas
  • 1 bunch silverbeet including stems, washed well
  • cup olive oil
  • 2 onions finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves finely chopped (not mashed)
  • 1 fresh chilli diced (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh coriander finely chopped (with stems)
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

Step 1. Boil the Silverbeet and Black-Eyed Peas
  1. Roughly shred the silverbeet leaves and dice the stems. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and stir in the sugar. Add the black-eyed peas and silverbeet (leaves and stems) to the pot. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the peas are soft and break easily when pressed between your fingers. Once cooked, strain well and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2. Sauté the Aromatics
  1. In a deep frypan or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, garlic, and chilli if using. Sauté until the onions soften and the garlic is fragrant, without letting it brown. This creates the flavour base for the dish.
Step 3. Cook the Greens and Peas
  1. Add the drained black-eyed peas and silverbeet mixture to the sauté pan. Season with salt and gently stir to combine. Cook over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Try not to stir too often or too vigorously—you want to keep some texture.
  2. During the final 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped coriander and let it gently wilt into the mixture.

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Creating magic and happy memories with food are my gift for you!
xx Rouba

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