Aswan Ful Medames

Ingredients

• •Fava beans
• •Garlic
• •Cumin
• •Olive oil
• •Lemon
• •Tomato
• •Fresh parsley
• •Flatbread

Steps

1. 1Simmer dried fava beans in a large pot of water for several hours, or use a pressure pot for less time, until they turn completely soft and creamy.
2. 2Drain the beans, reserving a little of the cooking liquid, and return them to the pot set over low heat.
3. 3Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon, leaving others whole for texture.
4. 4Stir in crushed garlic, a pinch of cumin, and a splash of the reserved cooking liquid to loosen the mixture slightly.
5. 5Ladle the warm beans into small serving bowls at the street cart.
6. 6Drizzle each bowl generously with olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
7. 7Top with chopped tomato and chopped parsley, letting customers add extra chili or more lemon as they like.
8. 8Serve the ful medames with warm flatbread for scooping, the way workers grab their breakfast on the way to the fields or the docks.