Ful Medames – Egyptian Fava Bean Dip
This dish is considered the staple food of Egyptians, with Fava beans as its main constituent. Appreciated by all, you’ll find it in street food shops as well as in five star hotel restaurants. It’s simple, affordable, filling, and nutritionally dense.Fava beans are a great source of vegetarian protein and contain high amounts of dietary fibre contributing to a longer feeling of satiety. They also contain high amounts of L-dopa, a precursor of the neuro-transmitter dopamine which could help regulate mood.Cumin powder is traditionally added to this dish to aid in the digestion of the beans and to give it its aromatic flavour. In Egypt this dish is usually served for a late weekend breakfast or lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped tomato
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup of pre-cooked or canned fava beans
- 1 cup of water
- sea salt to season
- 1 tsp curcumin powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp parsley (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- lemon juice
- parsley
Instructions
- Stir fry the onion and tomato with some olive oil until soft, then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend all the cooked ingredients (easiest using a hand blender).
- Place the blended ingredients into a serving dish and garnish.
- Serve with your choice of flat gluten free bread and salad.
Notes
Recipe by Nutritional Therapist Sherin Saad, graduate of CNM
