Ful Medames: Vegetarian Fava Bean Stew Recipe
Ful Medames is a classic Middle Eastern vegetarian fava bean stew that is hearty, flavorful, and simple to prepare. Made with canned fava beans simmered with garlic, spices, and fresh herbs, this dish offers a comforting and nutritious meal often enjoyed for breakfast or any time of day. The combination of cumin, paprika, and lemon juice creates a balanced and aromatic flavor profile that perfectly complements the creamy texture of the beans.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 16 oz can fava beans
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 whole green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup water (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Optional Toppings
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Pita bread
- Extra lemon juice
- Chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: Drain the can of fava beans and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and canning liquid.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add the minced garlic and thinly sliced green onions. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed fava beans to the pot along with 1/2 cup of water, cumin, paprika, salt, and dried parsley. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Beans: Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, just until the fava beans begin to soften and the flavors meld together.
- Mash Beans: Using a spoon or potato masher, mash about half of the beans in the pot while leaving some beans whole for texture.
- Adjust Consistency: If the stew becomes too thick or too little water remains, add extra water to reach your preferred consistency. Mix well.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Lemon: Stir in the chopped cilantro and the juice of half a lemon to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Transfer the stew to a plate or bowl, drizzle with extra olive oil, and serve immediately. Pair with pita bread and additional lemon juice or herbs if desired.
Notes
- Using canned fava beans significantly reduces cooking time, but feel free to use dried fava beans soaked and cooked from scratch if preferred.
- Adjust salt and lemon juice according to taste to balance the earthiness of the fava beans.
- This dish is traditionally served with warm pita bread, which is perfect for scooping up the stew.
- Optional toppings like chopped parsley or cilantro and an extra drizzle of olive oil enhance flavor and presentation.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan.
Keywords: Ful Medames, fava bean stew, Middle Eastern recipe, vegetarian stew, easy stovetop recipe, healthy bean stew
