
Egyptian stewed fava beans with lemon and cumin
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4
3 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Egyptian stewed fava beans with lemon and cumin
Egypt's national breakfast dish of slow-cooked fava beans mashed with garlic, lemon, and cumin. Hearty, protein-rich, and incredibly satisfying topped with olive oil and fresh herbs.
10m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
25m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
Ful medames has fueled Egypt for millennia—creamy stewed fava beans seasoned simply with lemon, garlic, and cumin. It's comfort food at its most elemental and nourishing.
Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add fava beans with 1/2 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes, mashing some beans for a creamy texture.
Stir in lemon juice, cumin, and salt to taste.
Cook 3-4 more minutes until thick and creamy, adding water if needed.
Serve in bowls topped with diced tomato, chopped parsley, olive oil, and a hard-boiled egg if desired.
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage
Similar creamy texture when mashed
Different but complementary warm spice flavor
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeMash about half the beans and leave the rest whole for the best texture.
Serve with warm pita bread for an authentic Egyptian breakfast experience.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavor improves overnight.
Reheat on the stove with a splash of water to loosen.
Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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Mediterranean

Mediterranean

Mediterranean


Mediterranean

Mediterranean