Ful Medames (Egyptian Fava Beans)
Ful medames is a classic Egyptian dish made from cooked fava beans, typically enjoyed for breakfast or as a hearty street food snack. It is a nutritious and flavorful dish that is rich in protein and fiber. Ful Medames is often served with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, and various accompaniments, making it a satisfying and versatile culinary delight.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried fava beans
- 4 cups water
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Pita bread, for serving
Steps
- Rinse dried fava beans under cold water. Remove debris.
- Place beans in saucepan. Cover with water.
- Boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low and simmer 1–1.5 hours until tender. Add water if needed.
- Drain beans in colander. Return to saucepan.
- Add minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt and black pepper. Stir and heat on low for a few minutes.
- Remove from heat. Transfer to serving dish.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro.
- Serve warm with pita or other bread.
Notes from the original
- Ful medames can be customized with various toppings and accompaniments according to personal preference. Common additions include a drizzle of olive oil, chopped tomatoes, diced onions, pickled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, or a sprinkle of ground chile powder for added spice.
Source. Adapted from “Cookbook:Ful Medames (Egyptian Fava Beans)” by Wikibooks contributors, revision of 2026-02-13, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Changes. Steps rewritten into short commands. Introduction shortened. Wiki formatting removed. This adapted recipe is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo. Ful medames (arabic meal).jpg by Abdullah Geelah, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia. Resized; otherwise unchanged.