Foul Nabed
Spiced Fava Beans
A flavorful and hearty dish of fava beans slow-cooked with aromatic spices, often served as a breakfast or light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dried fava beans(soaked overnight)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Coriander seeds
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 1 small Cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder(or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 4-6 cups Water(as needed)
- to taste Salt
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- for serving Lemon wedges
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Drain and rinse the soaked fava beans. Place them in a large pot.
- 2
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Grind them into a coarse powder, along with the cinnamon stick.
- 3
Heat vegetable oil in a separate large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften, about 5 minutes.
- 5
Add the ground spice mixture, chili powder, and turmeric powder to the pot. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- 6
Add the drained fava beans to the pot. Pour in 4 cups of water, ensuring the beans are covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the beans are very tender. Add more water if needed during cooking to keep the beans submerged.
- 7
Once the beans are tender, season with salt to taste. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lemon wedges on the side. Foul Nabed is often enjoyed with flatbread or Kisra.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the fava beans overnight is crucial for reducing cooking time and improving digestibility.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili powder to your preferred level of spice.
- ✓For a creamier texture, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot towards the end of cooking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a diced bell pepper along with the onions for extra flavor and color.
- Some recipes include a small amount of chopped parsley in addition to cilantro.