Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil

Name: Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 400g dried fava beans; 1 tsp baking soda; Water; 1 cup fresh parsley; 1 cup fresh cilantro; 4 cloves garlic; 1 medium onion; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 tsp ground chili powder; Salt and pepper; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Lemon juice

Traditional Egyptian Puree

Dive into the rich and creamy blend of Egyptian flavors with this Besara recipe, featuring fava beans, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Fava Beans

400g dried fava beans

soaked overnight

1 tsp baking soda

Water

enough to cover beans

For the Herb Mixture

1 cup fresh parsley

chopped

1 cup fresh cilantro

chopped

4 cloves garlic

crushed

1 medium onion

roughly chopped

For Spices & Flavor

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground chili powder

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Finishing Touch

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Lemon juice

from 1 lemon

Preparation

Preparing the Fava Beans

Drain and Place Beans

Drain soaked fava beans and place them in a large saucepan.

Add Baking Soda & Water

Add baking soda and enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches.

Cook Until Tender

Bring to a boil and simmer until very tender, about 45 minutes.

Ensure the beans are fully softened before blending for optimal texture.

Preparing the Herb Mixture

Combine Herbs & Aromatics

In a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, and onion.

Blend to Paste

Blend until you have a smooth paste-like consistency.

Set Aside

Set aside until beans are ready.

Reserve some of the bean-cooking liquid to adjust the consistency of the Besara if necessary.

Cooking Process

Blend Beans and Herbs

Once the beans are tender, drain and reserve some cooking liquid, then blend with the herb mixture until smooth.

Season the Puree

Stir in cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust with reserved cooking liquid if needed.

Add Olive Oil & Lemon

Drizzle with olive oil and add fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine.

Plating & Serving