Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (2024)

Foul (pronounced fool) when done right is one of the most comforting breakfasts you can make.

Soft garlicky lemony beans with a hint of cumin that you can scoop up with fresh bread are guaranteed to kick off your day with a tummy hug.

Apologies if I am dreaming about breakfast. In fact, I'm one of those people who adore a cooked breakfast so much that I have one with my son when he wakes up (around 6AM) and then another one when my husband wakes up (much later) 😂

Don't even get me started about how much I love brunch with friends.

Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (1)

Here is the video below on how to make it:

What is Foul?

Foul mudamas is a popular dish across the Levantine and Middle East region. The Egyptians have even made it their national dish such is it's importance in their diet.

Sometimes it is topped with a fried egg but the basic requirement is the Fava bean, also known as 'foul' in Arabic.

The 'mudamas' part refers to the way it is prepped and describes how it is 'mashed' or 'mixed' with other ingredients.

It is rare to find foul mudamas served boiled whole and by itself without anything else to spice it up.

Known for it's many health benefits it is a great source of protein especially if you are vegan.

You can buy the smaller or larger varieties it doesn't really matter which, and when you prepare it you can even add some 'shatta' or crushed chillis to give it a kick, depending on your spice tolerance.

Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (2)

You can spend hours soaking and cooking your own beans but it is perfectly acceptable to use cans in this situation, some even come with their own flavour blend so all you have to do is heat it up.

Don't get me wrong, if you do want to soak your own beans and have the time then go for it.

It's just that overall, when you add the spices and lemon, it doesn't make a massive difference to justify doing it every time.

Especially not at 6 AM or whenever you like to have your breakfast.

Variations

I like getting the fava and chickpea mix and adding my own seasoning which only takes 2 minutes.

When you heat up the beans, give them a light mashing and keep some of the water in the mix as you don't want them too dry.

I've also heard of people adding lentils to the mix but haven't tried it myself. Let me know how it goes if you think it improves the flavour.

Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (4)

Serving suggestions

In Lebanon if you go to a specialist foul shop, they give you a complimentary plate of pickles, tomatoes, herbs, radishes and olives.

It's ok if you don't have everything available at home, just slice up what you have in the fridge.

The freshest flat breads will elevate the whole thing, but in the UK I don't always have access to the freshest of fresh flat breads so I freeze pitta bread and toast them just before serving

Note: try to get pitta breads from a Middle Eastern shop and not supermarkets where I have yet to buy good pittas.

As always, a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon makes all the difference.

Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (5)

Foul is traditionally served in little terracotta plates. They really are brilliant at keeping the plate of foul warm and have the perfect angle to scoop up your mouthful.

You can source them from giant online retailers these days and they are also great for serving up hummus or baba ganoush.

Even though it is traditionally eaten at breakfast, lots of people also have it for dinner as a filling and nutritious option.

When you make foul mudamas this good, you won't be saying no to having it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (6)

4.89 from 9 votes

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Foul Mudamas (Fava beans)

Breakfast style foul with garlic, lemon and olive oil

CourseBreakfast, Brunch

CuisineLebanese

KeywordBrunch, Healthy, Quick and Easy

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 2

Author Zaatar and Zaytoun

Ingredients

  • 1can of fava beans
  • 1cloveof garlic
  • A good pinch of salt
  • A pinch of cuminor kamouneh
  • A good squeeze of lemon
  • A good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Open a can of fava beans and rinse the beans. Transfer to a small pot and cover with water and heat up for five minutes

  2. Meanwhile in a wide bowl, add the salt and bash the garlic clove with a pestle. Add the cumin (or kamouneh) and lemon. Mix

  3. Scoop out the beans onto the garlic, taking a little splash of the water as you do not want the beans too dry or too runny.

  4. Partially press some of the beans with a fork so some are squished and some are not. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary

  5. Spoon the foul into a shallow bowl and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil

  6. Garnish with finely chopped tomatoes and parsley (optional)

  7. Serve with flat breads and a small side plate of pickles, sliced tomatoes, mint, olives, radishes and cucumber.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

You can also use a mix of fava beans and chickpeas.

You can add a pinch of chilli paste if you like things spicy.

If you make any of our recipes let us know how it went by giving us a star rating below.

Check out ourYoutubepage for full video tutorials, ourFacebook groupto discuss Lebanese cooking, as well as ourtiktok pagefor quick tips.

Other recipes you might like from the Zaatar and Zaytoun collection:

  • Lebanese chicken marinade with yoghurt
  • Lebanese Spicy Fish (Samke Harra)
  • Lemon garlic steak with fries
  • Herb Roasted Salmon
Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is foul medames healthy? ›

Including vegetables like tomato, radishes and spring onion adds more fiber, which can help reduce 'bad' cholesterol by reducing its absorption in the body. Foul medames is a very popular Middle Eastern dish typically eaten for breakfast. It has many health benefits as it is rich in fiber and protein.

What is foul made of? ›

Ful medames, or simply fūl, is a stew of cooked fava beans served with olive oil and cumin. It's also common to serve with chopped parsley, garlic, onions, lemon juice, pepper and other vegetable, herb and spice ingredients. Some people describe ful as a cross between a bean salad and a bean dip.

How to make foul shami? ›

Pour the fava beans, with their liquid, into a pot, add a glass of water, and heat on the stove for 20-30 minutes on medium heat until hot and soft. Pour them into a colander to drain. While the beans are heating, mix the diced tomato, the minced parsley, the minced onion and the minced garlic in a bowl on the side.

Can you get fava beans in the US? ›

Buy your favorite Fava Beans online with Instacart. Order Fava Beans from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

Who should not eat fava beans? ›

When a person with G6PD deficiency eats fava beans, a condition known as "favism" can be triggered due to the presence of naturally occurring compounds vicine and convicine in the beans. These compounds are relatively heat stable and are not removed by cooking.

Is foul good for weight loss? ›

A 100 gram serving of fava beans yields around 66% of your suggested every day stipend of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a gainful intensify that guides in weight reduction. It additionally enables lower to blood cholesterol and anticipate cardiovascular sicknesses.

Which country invented foul? ›

Ful medames
Alternative namesFūl
Place of originEgypt
Region or stateGreater Middle East Africa
Main ingredientsFava beans, vegetable oil, cumin
VariationsLemon juice, onion, parsley, garlic
3 more rows

What is the history of foul Mudammas? ›

Anyway, this is Ful Medames, an ancient dish made of mashed fava beans that is generally associated with Egypt. This dish likely predates Islam, meaning that it is thousands of years old. Fava beans, like chickpeas, peas, and lentils, are legumes from the Old World, originating in Southwest Asia about 8,000 years ago.

Are Egyptian fava beans healthy? ›

The fiber in fava beans isn't just good for your digestive system; it helps maintain a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight management. Additionally, the complex carbohydrates in fava beans provide sustained energy without the dreaded blood sugar spikes, supporting your metabolic health and weight loss efforts.

Are fava beans the same as lima beans? ›

Although favas are often compared to both lima beans and peas, there are noticeable differences. "Their taste and textures differ significantly," says Welsh. "Cooked fresh peas taste vegetal—almost leafy—and lima beans taste earthy and starchy. Favas, however, are grassy, yet creamy."

How long to soak fava beans? ›

Preparing Faba Beans

Rinse the beans under cold running water. Soak your beans. To soak overnight, add 3 cups (750 mL) of cool water for every 1 cup (250 mL) of dry beans, making sure beans are covered completely, and soak for 8–24 hours.

What is foole? ›

Maha's Fine Egyptian Cuisine - Foole Medames is the national dish of Egypt. ( Cooked, creamy fava beans) served with onions tomatoes and Egyptian Pita bread. It is made of dried fava beans that are soaked overnight then cooked over very low heat for 6 to 12 hours depending on how dry the beans are.

Does Trader Joe's sell fava beans? ›

Trader Joe's Italian Shelled Fava Beans (0.67 cup) contains 17g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 0g fat, 6g protein, and 90 calories.

What do Americans call fava beans? ›

Dried fava beans are also known as field beans, horse beans or even tic beans (a name for the very smallest varieties). In US English however the name fava refers to fresh broad beans, infamously washed down with Italian wine.

Which country produces the most fava beans? ›

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Market

The increase in production is associated with increasing consumer demand and high export potential due to its nutritional value. China is the major producing country in the region. The fava bean production in China was 1.9 million metric tons in 2021.

Are fava beans a healthy snack? ›

Here's just a few reasons why fava beans are so good for you: High in protein - with 10g protein per serving, fava beans are naturally high in protein. High in fibre - fava beans are a rich source of dietary fibre, which has been scientifically proven to decrease blood cholesterol levels.

What does fava beans do to your body? ›

Regularly eating fava beans may boost your immune system. In particular, they're rich in compounds that may enhance antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are critical to your body's immune defense, as they fight free radicals that may lead to cell damage and disease ( 12 , 13 , 14 ).

How many calories are in Foul Mudammas? ›

Cedar Phoenicia Foul Mudammas (250 ml) contains 34g total carbs, 22g net carbs, 1g fat, 18g protein, and 220 calories.

Is foul medames good for diabetics? ›

Fava beans never tasted so good! These Egyptian fava beans are rich in protein and fiber making them an excellent diabetes-friendly choice. They also taste extra delicious when served with your favourite vegetables or pita bread.

References

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