Ful Medames
- Chef John Politte
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Ful Medames is a traditional Egyptian dish made primarily from fava beans. It is considered one of the country’s national dishes and is enjoyed throughout Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. The name “ful medames” comes from the Arabic word for fava beans (“ful”) and a term meaning “buried,” which refers to the slow-cooking method originally used to prepare the beans.
Ful Medames
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cups cooked fava beans
½ an red onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
½ Tablespoon paprika
½ tsp mild chili flakes
Juice of 1/2 lime
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-5 minutes, until they are softened.
Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for one more minute.
Add the fava beans. Mash some of the beans in the pan for a thicker consistency or leave them whole for a chunkier stew.
If it’s too thick, add a little water as needed.
Reduce the heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tips
When ready, squeeze in the lime juice and stir well.
Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil and, if you like, fresh herbs or extra chili flakes on top.
Enjoy with pita, naan, eggs, or your favorite sides.