Foul Medames, a dish of beans, Egypt

Foul medames is one of the flagship dishes of Egyptian cuisine, prized for its simplicity and rich flavors. Typically served for breakfast, it's also perfect for lunch or dinner. This naturally gluten-free dish consists of simmered fava beans seasoned with a blend of spices, lemon juice, and olive oil, and may be accompanied by hard-boiled eggs and tomatoes.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Total time 15 minutes

Cooking method: Traditional

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Special diet: naturally gluten-free

Ingredients

400g of dried broad beans ( or canned to save time)
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 small red onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt, pepper, chili to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Diced tomatoes and hard-boiled eggs (optional)

Preparation

1
Preparing the beans:
2
If using dried beans, soak them in water for 8 to 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
3
Cook the beans in a saucepan of water for 1 to 1.5 hours, until tender. If using canned beans, rinse and drain them, then proceed directly to the next step.
4
Seasoning and assembly:
5
In a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the crushed garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute.
6
Add the pan-fried beans, cumin, salt, and pepper. Lightly mash some of the beans with the back of a spoon to release their starch and thicken the mixture. Add a glass of water and cook for 3 minutes.
7
Pour in the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes.
8
Service :
9
Transfer the foul medames to a serving bowl and garnish with the red onion, fresh parsley, and diced tomatoes.
10
Add the hard-boiled eggs, cut in half if you wish, for a more complete version of the dish.

Note

Foul medames pairs perfectly with a touch of tahini or a little chili to enhance the flavors. For a complete brunch, serve it with a fresh salad and olives.

Keywords: foul recipe ladies, gluten-free fava bean recipe, Egyptian recipe