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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Ful medames with bread

Ful medames is a dish of canned fava beans simmered with cumin, seasoned with raw garlic and lemon juice, served with tomato, parsley, a hard boiled egg and bread. For 4 people, it takes 35 minutes, it's very easy, and costs €1.40 per serving. The key is the balance between mashed and whole beans, plus the final drizzle of olive oil right before serving.

This is ful medames, the fava beans simmered with garlic and lemon that people eat for breakfast in Cairo, here turned into a simple dinner.

Ful medames with bread
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.40
Calories per person
730 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring

Canned fava beans turn into a warm, fragrant dish in minutes, just heated through with cumin, then sharpened with crushed raw garlic and lemon juice. Half the beans get mashed for body, the other half stay whole for bite. Fresh tomato and parsley add brightness that balances the earthy beans.

This is an uncomplicated weeknight dinner, just 35 minutes from pantry to table, using ingredients you likely already have on hand. Mon Chou suggests it for nights when you want something simple but full of flavor, and for anyone curious to try a different cuisine without a complicated recipe. With bread for scooping, it makes a complete, comforting meal.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Canned cooked fava beansoften in the pantry 3 can
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Lemon 2
  • Parsley 1 bunch
  • Tomatoes 2

Dairy

  • Eggs 4

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Boil the eggs, then peel them under cold water. 10 min

    Drop them straight into ice water once cooked, the shell comes off on its own.

  2. Warm the fava beans with their liquid and the cumin, without letting them boil. 8 min

    Low heat is enough, since they're already cooked.

  3. Mash half the beans with a fork along with the crushed garlic, lemon juice and half the olive oil.

    Crush the garlic with a little salt, it turns into a paste and blends in more evenly.

  4. Dice the tomatoes finely and chop the parsley.

    Ripe tomatoes give a real burst of freshness against the beans.

  5. Serve the beans in a deep bowl, topped with tomato, parsley, a drizzle of olive oil and a halved hard boiled egg, with bread on the side.

    That final drizzle of olive oil should be visible, it's part of the tradition.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick good quality canned fava beans, their liquid becomes part of the sauce, so don't drain it away.
  • Crush the garlic very finely before adding it raw, a large chunk can overpower the whole dish.
  • Taste before serving and adjust the lemon, some canned beans are already salted.

The variations

  • Swap the cumin for smoked paprika for a rounder, slightly smoky flavor.
  • For an egg free version, stir in mashed chickpeas instead, the dish stays just as filling.
  • To save time, skip the hard boiled egg and top the beans with crumbled fresh cheese instead.

What to serve it with

  • Flatbread or baguette for scooping
  • Mint tea
  • Olives or marinated vegetables as a starter

Storage

The beans keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, without the fresh toppings. Reheat gently in a saucepan, adding a splash of water if needed, and prepare the tomato, parsley and egg just before serving. Freezing isn't recommended, the beans turn mealy.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh fava beans instead of canned?

Yes, but they need about an hour of cooking first to become soft enough to mash. Canned beans are more practical for a weeknight dinner.

Do I really need raw garlic?

Crushed raw garlic gives ful medames its sharp, lively character. If you prefer a milder taste, cook it for a minute in the oil before adding it.

Can I make ful medames ahead of time?

You can prepare the bean base a few hours ahead and reheat it gently. Add the tomato, parsley and hard boiled egg just before serving so they stay fresh.

How can I make this kid friendly?

Cut back on the lemon and raw garlic, and leave the beans less mashed for a softer texture. Serve the bread on the side so kids can dip at their own pace.

How long does it take to make a ful medames with hard boiled eggs and bread?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a ful medames with hard boiled eggs and bread?

About 730 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 ful medames with hard boiled eggs and bread cost?

About €1.40 per serving, or €5.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

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

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