Egyptian Ful Medames, also referred to as “Foul Mudammas” (pronounced “fool mu-dah-mahs”), is a hearty and nutritious bean dish that shares similarities with other beloved bean dishes such as Ewa Agoyin and Waakye. What sets it apart is that it features fava beans, one of the tastiest and most nutritious legumes. The dish is a stew made from mashed fava beans mixed with a blend of herbs and spices such as garlic and ground cumin, served with a variety of toppings like olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh vegetables and eaten with flatbread.
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This vegan dish has been a staple of Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. Its origin dates back to ancient Egyptian cuisine, and it is said to have been a favorite breakfast dish of the pharaohs. The recipe has adapted to local tastes and ingredients over time, resulting in many regional variations of Ful Medames across the Middle East and North Africa. Today, Ful Medames is considered a national dish of Egypt and enjoyed by people worldwide.
In addition to its delicious taste, the Egyptian Ful Medames recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients, making it an excellent option for kicking off your day right. Whether you’re a food lover or just looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, Ful Medames is an excellent dish to add to your repertoire.
What are Egyptian Fava Beans?
The Egyptian Fava beans are a type of ancient legume cultivated in the Middle East and some parts of Europe commonly used in their dried form in Middle Eastern and North African cooking. They can also serve as vegetables when freshly harvested, but unfortunately, they quickly go out of season. So you’d mostly find them in their dried form or canned. However, regardless of which fava beans you have, they’re a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.
The dried fava beans have a rich and creamy flavor that works well in dishes like the Egyptian ful medames. This recipe calls for the beans to be mashed, which is why the creaminess of the dried fava beans is a great fit. But the canned fava beans work just as well.
In this recipe, we will go through the step-by-step process of making Egyptian Ful Medames at home so you can enjoy this flavorful and nutritious dish in the comfort of your kitchen.
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Watch Hajar Larbah of Moribyan Kitchen prepare the flavourful Egyptian Ful Medames the way her Moroccan mom taught her to. Hajar loves food so much that she enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants and she decided to study nutrition and blog on food fulltime.
Ingredients for Egyptian Ful Medames Recipe
- 2 cups of dried fava beans or canned fava beans
- 6 cups of water
- 2 medium-sized onion bulbs (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 medium-sized fresh tomatoes (chopped)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish
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Instructions on How to Make Egyptian Ful Medames Recipe
To prepare the Fava Beans:
- Pick your dried fava beans to get rid of dirt and stones.
- Rinse the dried fava beans thoroughly and soak them in water overnight to help them cook faster.
- Drain the soaked fava beans and add them to a large pot with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer for about 2 hours until they are very tender.
- Once the beans are tender enough, drain the liquid, put them in a pot, and set them apart.
Note: You can use canned fava beans instead to save time; simply pour them into a colander to drain the liquid, rinse them with clean water, and set them aside.
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To prepare the Egyptian Ful Medames:
- Over low to medium heat, in a large saucepan, add olive oil and.
- Add the diced onions and saute until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, and black pepper, and stir.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and salt to taste. Allow to simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Add the fava beans to the mixture and pour in a cup of water. Allow the bean mixture to cook over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. To achieve the creamy texture, gently mash the beans with a potato masher or wooden spatula.
- When you’re ready to serve, transfer the Ful Medames to a serving dish, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and tomatoes.
- Serve hot with Pita bread, Baladi bread, or your favorite flatbread.
And there you have it – your flavourful Egyptian Ful Medames. Bon appetit!
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