Bessara (Moroccan Fava Bean Soup)
Local name: البصارة
In short: A thick, silky soup of peeled dried fava beans pureed with garlic and cumin, finished with olive oil and paprika and eaten with bread. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Bessara is a winter breakfast and street-corner soup, ladled steaming into bowls in Moroccan markets on cold mornings. Split, peeled fava beans cook until they fall apart, then are blended with garlic and cumin into a smooth, pale yellow puree. A pool of olive oil and a dusting of paprika and cumin go on top, and a piece of bread does the work of a spoon. It is cheap, warming and filling.
Instructions
- Put the drained beans, garlic and water in a pot. Bring to a boil and skim off any foam, then cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, until the beans fall apart when pressed.
- Add the cumin, salt and 2 tbsp of the oil. Blend with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender, until completely smooth.
- If the soup is too thick, stir in hot water a few spoonfuls at a time. It should be thick but pourable. Warm it over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Ladle into bowls and make a well in the center. Pour in the remaining oil and sprinkle with paprika and a pinch of cumin.
- Serve hot with bread and lemon wedges.
Tips
- If you cannot find peeled split fava beans, use dried whole fava beans, soak them for 12 hours and slip off the skins before cooking.
- Dried split peas make a decent substitute, though the flavor is sweeter and less earthy.
Questions and answers
Is bessara the same as hummus?
No. Bessara is a warm soup made from fava beans, while hummus is a cold chickpea and tahini dip. Bessara has no tahini and is thinner, served in a bowl.
Can I freeze bessara?
Yes. Freeze it in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight, then reheat with a splash of water, whisking until smooth.
What do you eat with bessara?
Bread for dipping, olive oil on top and often a few olives. In Morocco it is a common breakfast on cold days.
How long does it take to make Bessara (Moroccan Fava Bean Soup)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bessara (Moroccan Fava Bean Soup)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
