Bahraini Mashed Fava Beans (Ful Madhghoot)
A hearty and flavorful dish of slow-cooked fava beans mashed with aromatic spices, often served for breakfast or as a side.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dried fava beans(soaked overnight)
- 8 cups Water
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Coriander seeds
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Drain and rinse the soaked fava beans.
- 2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the fava beans with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beans are very tender.
- 3
While the beans are cooking, heat olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and coriander seeds, toasting until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- 4
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Add the minced garlic and turmeric powder to the onion mixture and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 6
Once the fava beans are tender, drain most of the cooking liquid, reserving about 1 cup. Mash the beans using a potato masher or the back of a spoon until mostly smooth but with some texture remaining.
- 7
Stir the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the mashed fava beans. Add the reserved cooking liquid, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. The dish should be thick but spreadable.
- 8
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the lemon juice.
- 9
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the fava beans overnight is crucial for even cooking and reducing cooking time.
- ✓For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender, but be careful not to over-process.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cooking liquid to achieve your preferred texture.
- ✓Serve with warm flatbread (khubz) for dipping.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate some chopped tomatoes along with the onions for added freshness.
- A dollop of tahini can be stirred in for a richer flavor.