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Ful Medames

Serves 4 Entree vegan, Vegetarian

Ful Medames

Ful Medames is a cherished staple of Egyptian breakfast tables, where the simplicity of fava beans meets the lushness of Mediterranean ingredients. This dish brings the comfort of a morning pot, where olive oil and lemon are as essential as the sunrise. It's a dish for everyday meals, capturing the essence of garden and sea in each bite.

The flavors are robust yet balanced, with the creamy fava beans soaking up the zesty lemon juice and rich olive oil. A hint of garlic and cumin adds depth, while fresh tomatoes and parsley lend a bright, herbal note. Seasoned with fine sea salt, each mouthful is a satisfying blend of earthiness and vibrance.

Ingredients

  • 500 gcooked fava beans
  • 3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
  • 3 clovesgarlic
  • 60 mllemon juice
  • 1 tspcumin
  • 2tomatoes
  • handfulparsley
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Start by preparing your ingredients. Mince 3 cloves of garlic finely and set aside. Dice 2 tomatoes into small cubes and chop a handful of parsley. Juice a lemon to yield 60 ml of lemon juice. Having these ingredients ready will ensure a smooth cooking process.
  2. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the garlic becomes soft and releases a fragrant aroma. This should take a few minutes, and the garlic should not brown, as this would impart a bitter taste.
  3. Add the 500 g of cooked fava beans to the saucepan. Stir them gently to coat with the garlic-infused oil. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cumin over the beans, stirring to distribute the spice evenly. Allow the beans to warm through, absorbing the flavors of the garlic and cumin.
  4. Once the beans are heated, add the diced tomatoes to the saucepan. Stir them in gently and allow them to soften slightly, releasing their juices into the mixture. This will create a more cohesive texture and enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
  5. Pour in the 60 ml of lemon juice, stirring to combine with the other ingredients. The lemon juice will add brightness and a slight tang, balancing the richness of the olive oil and the earthiness of the cumin.
  6. Taste the mixture and add fine sea salt to your preference, stirring well to ensure even seasoning. The beans should be tender, and the flavors should meld together harmoniously, with no single ingredient overpowering the others.
  7. Transfer the Ful Medames to a serving dish. Garnish with the chopped parsley, which will add a fresh, herby note to the dish. Serve immediately, enjoying the vibrant flavors characteristic of a Mediterranean table.