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 (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 Spicy Fish (Samke Harra)
  • Lemon garlic steak with fries
  • Herb Roasted Salmon
  • Kousa bil laban (zucchini in yoghurt sauce)
Foul Mudamas by Zaatar and Zaytoun - Lebanese Recipes and Food Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is foul Mudammas healthy? ›

Ful Mudammas, Egypt

This dish is a menu of high fiber fava beans cooked with thick sesame oil, onions, and lemon juice. Generally, boiled eggs are also added as a compliment. Ful mudammas is a traditional breakfast menu that is very healthy because it contains lots of fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus.

What is foul Mudammas made of? ›

What is foul mudammas? Foul mudammas is basically stewed fava beans (or broad beans), typically seasoned with a little ground cumin and finished with good extra virgin olive oil. Egyptians serve with warm pita bread and jazz it up with lemon juice, fresh veggies and herbs.

What is foul Mudammas in Arabic? ›

Ful medames (Arabic: فول مدمس, fūl midammis IPA: [fuːl meˈdammes]; other spellings include ful mudammas and foule mudammes, in Coptic: ⲫⲉⲗ phel or fel), or simply fūl, is a stew of cooked fava beans served with olive oil, cumin, and optionally with chopped parsley, garlic, onion, lemon juice, chili pepper and other ...

Is ful medames good? ›

Ful medames makes for a hearty and healthy breakfast that is full of flavor. The dish comes together easily and it makes a great breakfast or brunch. We always keep our pantry stocked with a few cans of fava beans and chickpeas, so we can easily make this quick, satisfying breakfast on weekends.

Who should not eat fava beans? ›

If you are diagnosed with G6PD deficiency, you should be mindful of your dietary choices to minimize potential health concerns. Here are some tips for you: Avoid consuming fava beans, including plant-based meat produced using fava bean proteins.

What are the benefits of foul Mudammas? ›

The fiber aids digestion and helps you to feel full so you won't be tempted to snack before lunchtime, while proteins are essential for repairing body tissues, regulating hormones and the healthy function of the immune system, plus many other important processes.

Is canned foul medames healthy? ›

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. With this simple recipe, you can learn how to make this traditional dish at home. Use dried beans instead of canned beans to keep salt content low.

Why avoid fava beans? ›

Favism is an inherited disease in which a person lacks an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). When these people eat fava beans, they develop a condition called hemolytic anemia. This anemia causes red blood cells to break apart and block blood vessels.

Where did foul mudammas come from? ›

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.

What countries eat foul medames? ›

What is Ful Medames? This ancient breakfast dish, originating in Egypt and then migrating to other countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan and Morocco, is traditionally made by mashing fava beans cooked with cumin and then serving with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley.

Are Egyptian fava beans healthy? ›

Fava beans boast a nutrient profile that's as rich as the history of Egyptian gastronomy. These beans are an excellent ally in your weight loss journey and are high in protein, fiber, folate, and manganese.

Can you eat raw favas? ›

They grow in green pods, and fresh favas can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. Their versatility makes them suitable for soups, stews, salads, sauces, fillings, snacks, and more. Fava beans have an earthy, nutty, slightly sweet, and slightly bitter taste. They may taste cheesy to some people.

Is foul good for cholesterol? ›

Fiber. Fava beans are rich in fiber. Fiber is a nutrient that helps with digestion, maintaining healthy glucose levels, and preventing cholesterol buildup. Cholesterol is a chemical that occurs naturally in your body and in other foods.

What is a typical Egyptian breakfast? ›

Ful is the most common traditional breakfast and is pronounced as “fool”. Made of fava beans cooked with oil and salt it provides a filling and nutritious start to the day and often served with a boiled egg. The soaked beans are cooked for hours over low heat in an “idra” in order to remove the beans casing.

Are foul beans healthy? ›

Fava beans are small, but mighty. They're an excellent source of protein and soluble fibre, including smaller amounts of almost all other B vitamins, selenium and calcium. B vitamins are especially important and can help to prevent birth defects, lift your mood and strengthen your immune system.

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.

References

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