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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Baghali ghatogh with rice

Baghali ghatogh is a dish from Gilan, Iran, made with fava beans, dill, and garlic, bound with eggs at the end of cooking. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes and is rated easy, at €1.80 per serving. The key to success is a generous amount of dill, which should dominate, and eggs stirred in off the heat so they stay soft and creamy.

A baghali ghatogh from Gilan, fava beans with dill and garlic bound with eggs, served with rice, a very fragrant green dish.

Baghali ghatogh with rice
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
710 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer

Baghali ghatogh stands out for its color, a deep green from the dill and fava beans, and for its very distinct, almost herbal aroma. The beans turn tender while the eggs add a creamy finish, coating everything without ever becoming scrambled eggs. Garlic browned with turmeric brings a quiet warmth that lifts the dish without making it spicy.

This is a spring or summer dish, best made when fava beans are easy to find, perfect for a weeknight if you have a bit of time, or a Sunday when you want something different from the usual. It mostly appeals to adults who enjoy bold flavors, since the dill is strong enough to catch more cautious eaters off guard. Mon Chou suggests making it as soon as you have a bunch of dill sitting in your fridge drawer.

The ingredients

4 people

Frozen foods

  • Frozen fava beans 800 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Dill 3 bunch
  • Garlic 6 cloves

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Butter 30 g

Pantry

  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the fava beans after blanching them. 8 min

    The skin slips off easily when pinched, it takes longer but the texture is well worth it.

  2. Brown the chopped garlic in the oil with the turmeric. 2 min

    Watch it closely, the garlic shouldn't turn brown.

  3. Add the fava beans, chopped dill, and a little water, salt lightly and let it simmer. 15 min

    Use plenty of dill, it should be the dominant flavor.

  4. Crack the eggs on top and stir gently until they set. 3 min

    Take it off the heat while the eggs are still creamy.

  5. Cook the rice in salted water with the butter and serve with the beans. 12 min

    Let the rice rest covered so it stays light and fluffy.

Our tips to get it right

  • Chop the garlic very finely so it infuses the oil evenly without leaving large pieces that can burn.
  • Keep a little bit of the bean cooking water nearby, it lets you adjust the dish's texture if the eggs set too quickly.
  • Taste the dill before chopping the whole bunch, since its strength can vary depending on the season.

The variations

  • Swap the frozen fava beans for fresh shelled ones when they're in season, for a cleaner, brighter flavor.
  • For an egg free version, stir in a spoonful of thick sour cream off the heat instead of the eggs.
  • For kids, cut the amount of dill in half and serve the rice on the side, so they can build their own plate.

What to serve it with

  • Flatbread like lavash
  • Plain yogurt on the side
  • Cucumber and mint salad

Storage

Baghali ghatogh keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, since the eggs don't allow for longer storage. Reheat it gently in a pan over low heat, without letting it boil, so the eggs don't overcook. Freezing isn't recommended because of how the eggs and beans hold up in texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you make baghali ghatogh ahead of time?

You can prepare the fava bean, dill, and garlic base ahead of time, then reheat it gently. Add the eggs only right before serving, so they stay creamy.

Can you replace the fava beans with another vegetable?

Fava beans give the dish its signature texture and flavor, but peas can work as a substitute in a pinch. The result will be milder and less distinctive.

How do you keep the eggs from turning into scrambled eggs?

Add the eggs off the heat, cracking them directly onto the hot beans, then stir gently. The residual heat is enough to set them softly, without dry curds.

Do you really need to peel the fava beans?

Yes, removing the skin makes the beans much more tender and noticeably changes the dish's texture. It's the longest step, but it makes a real difference.

How long does it take to make a baghali ghatogh with rice?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a baghali ghatogh with rice?

About 710 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a baghali ghatogh with rice cost?

About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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