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Ful Medames (Egyptian Fava Bean Breakfast)

Big, bold flavor and cozy comfort come together in every scoop of this Ful Medames. Creamy fava beans, warm spices, and a bright fresh topping make this dish feel special without asking for anything fancy in the kitchen.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tins (400g each) fava beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
  • 150 g tomatoes finely chopped
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Pul Biber
  • 1/2 lime juiced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 150 g tomatoes finely diced
  • 1 medium red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cucumber finely diced
  • 1 small bunch parsley and coriander finely chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fluffy warm flatbread for serving

Method
 

  1. Place a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Add the finely diced onion and fry until golden.
  3. Add the garlic and stir until aromatics are released.
  4. Stir in the cumin, oregano, and Pul Biber.
  5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until broken down and thickened.
  6. Add the fava beans and 1 cup water to the pan.
  7. Season with salt and pepper and add the lime juice.
  8. Mash the beans using a masher or the back of a fork until roughly broken down.
  9. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the mixture thickens into a coarse dip consistency.
  10. Finely dice the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion for the topping.
  11. Add the parsley and coriander to the topping mixture.
  12. Dress the topping with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  13. Spoon the Ful Medames into a serving dish.
  14. Heap the fresh topping over the beans.
  15. Drizzle with extra olive oil and serve with warm flatbread.

Notes

Store the bean mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days and keep the fresh topping separate until serving. Serve warm with fluffy flatbread and simple fresh salads for a comforting shared meal.