RecipesYemenYemeni Foul Medames

Yemeni Foul Medames

A hearty and flavorful fava bean stew, a staple breakfast dish in Yemen, often seasoned with cumin, chili, and lemon, and served with bread.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
Yemeni Foul Medames - Yemen traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Dried fava beans(soaked overnight)
  • 8 cups Water
  • 1 medium Onion(chopped)
  • 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 2 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Coriander
  • 1/2 tsp Chili powder(or to taste)
  • to taste Salt
  • 4 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
  • 1 medium Tomatoes(diced, for garnish (optional))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Drain the soaked fava beans and rinse them thoroughly.

  2. 2

    Place the fava beans in a large pot and cover with 8 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the beans are very tender.

    ⏱️ 45 minutes
  3. 3

    While the beans are simmering, sauté the chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a separate pan until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Once the beans are tender, drain most of the cooking liquid, reserving about 1 cup. Mash the beans slightly with a fork or potato masher directly in the pot. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt to taste.

  5. 5

    Stir in the reserved cooking liquid, adding more if needed to reach desired consistency. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

  6. 6

    Stir in the lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Garnish with fresh parsley and diced tomatoes, if using.

  7. 7

    Serve hot with Yemeni bread (khubz) or pita bread for dipping.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Soaking the fava beans overnight is crucial for even cooking.
  • For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender.
  • Adjust chili powder to your preferred level of heat.
  • A drizzle of good quality olive oil just before serving enhances the flavor.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of turmeric for color.
  • Include chopped cilantro along with parsley for garnish.
  • Some variations include a diced tomato and bell pepper cooked with the onions.

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