Foul Moudammas (Lebanese Warm Fava Beans with Lemon and Garlic)
Local name: فول مدمس
In short: Warm fava beans lightly mashed with garlic, lemon, cumin and olive oil, topped with tomato, parsley and mint for a filling breakfast. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Foul moudammas is a plate of warm, softly mashed fava beans dressed with lemon, garlic, cumin and plenty of olive oil. It is topped with diced tomato, parsley and mint, and scooped up with bread. The dish is cheap, filling and very quick when you start with canned beans. Many people in Lebanon eat it for breakfast, though it also makes a good lunch.
Instructions
- Put the drained beans and the 120 ml (1/2 cup) of reserved liquid in a saucepan. Warm over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until steaming hot.
- Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the garlic paste, cumin, chili flakes, lemon juice and 4 tbsp olive oil.
- Crush about half of the beans with a fork or potato masher, leaving the rest whole for texture. Taste, then add salt or more lemon juice as needed. Canned beans are already salted, so go gently.
- Spoon the beans into shallow bowls and make a small well in the middle of each with the back of a spoon.
- Top with the tomatoes, spring onions, parsley, mint and radishes. Drizzle with the extra olive oil and serve hot, with warm pita and lemon wedges.
Tips
- Mash only part of the beans. The mix of creamy and whole beans gives the best texture. Add a little hot water if the mixture feels too thick.
- To start from dried beans, soak 250 g (1 1/4 cups) small fava beans overnight, then simmer them in fresh water for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until very soft. Drain, keep some of the liquid and continue from step 1.
Questions and answers
What kind of beans do I need?
Small brown fava beans, called foul in Arabic, are traditional. Larger broad beans also work but take longer to soften if dried. Canned fava beans are the quickest option.
How is foul moudammas usually served?
In shallow bowls with tomato, herbs and olive oil, alongside bread, raw onion, pickles and fresh mint. Each person adds lemon and chili to taste.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. The beans keep for 4 days in the fridge. Reheat them with a splash of water, then add the lemon, garlic and toppings fresh.
How long does it take to make Foul Moudammas (Lebanese Warm Fava Beans with Lemon and Garlic)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Foul Moudammas (Lebanese Warm Fava Beans with Lemon and Garlic)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
