Description
Ful Medames is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring slow-simmered fava beans flavored with garlic, onion, cumin, and olive oil, topped with a fresh tomato, cucumber, and parsley salad. This hearty, nutritious recipe is perfect for breakfast or any time of day and is typically served warm with pita or bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Base
- 2 cups dried fava beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Fresh Salad Topping
- 1 medium fresh tomato, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and cook beans: In a large pot, add the soaked and drained fava beans. Cover them with water by about 2 inches, then bring the water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer and soften: Skim off any foam that forms on the surface. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, leaving the pot uncovered. Cook the beans for 1.5 to 2 hours until they are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add seasonings: Once the beans are tender, drain any excess water if necessary. Stir in the olive oil, finely minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and ground cumin evenly throughout the beans.
- Simmer with spices: Continue to simmer the bean mixture for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the beans gently, creating a combination of creamy and chunky textures.
- Finish with lemon: Drizzle the lemon juice over the beans and stir well to combine. Taste the mixture and adjust the salt as needed for seasoning.
- Prepare fresh salad: In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomato, cucumber, finely diced red onion, and chopped parsley. Mix well to create a fresh, crisp topping.
- Serve: Spoon the warm bean mixture into serving bowls and top each with a portion of the fresh salad. Serve immediately, accompanied by pita bread or your choice of bread.
Notes
- Soaking the fava beans overnight reduces cooking time and helps soften them.
- Skimming foam while boiling improves clarity and flavor of the beans.
- Partially mashing the beans provides a traditional creamy yet chunky texture.
- This dish pairs well with warm pita bread for dipping or scooping.
- Adjust cumin and garlic quantities to suit your taste preferences.
