Appetizer · Middle Eastern · Vegan ·

Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil

Name: Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 400g dried fava beans, soaked overnight; 1 tsp baking soda; Water, enough to cover beans; 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 medium onion, roughly chopped; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 tsp ground chili powder; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Lemon juice, from 1 lemon

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.

4.3(581 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 16, 2025

Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Fava Beans

For the Herb Mixture

For Spices & Flavor

For the Finishing Touch

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 494 kcal
Protein: 23.5 g
Carbs: 66.25 g
Fat: 15 g
Fiber: 24.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1976 kcal
Protein: 94 g
Carbs: 265 g
Fat: 60 g
Fiber: 97 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
400g dried fava beans soaked overnight	1360	88	236	6	88
1 tsp baking soda	0	0	0	0	0
Water enough to cover beans	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup fresh parsley chopped	22	2	4	0	2
1 cup fresh cilantro chopped	25	2	4	0	3
4 cloves garlic crushed	18	1	4	0	0
1 medium onion roughly chopped	44	1	10	0	2
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0	1	0	1
1 tsp ground coriander	7	0	1	0	1
1/2 tsp ground chili powder	3	0	1	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil	477	0	0	54	0
Lemon juice from 1 lemon	12	0	4	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Fava Beans

1
Drain and Place Beans
Drain soaked fava beans and place them in a large saucepan.
2
Add Baking Soda & Water
Add baking soda and enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches.
3
Cook Until Tender
Bring to a boil and simmer until very tender, about 45 minutes.
Tip: Ensure the beans are fully softened before blending for optimal texture.

Preparing the Herb Mixture

1
Combine Herbs & Aromatics
In a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, and onion.
2
Blend to Paste
Blend until you have a smooth paste-like consistency.
3
Set Aside
Set aside until beans are ready.
Tip: Reserve some of the bean-cooking liquid to adjust the consistency of the Besara if necessary.

How to Make Creamy Egyptian Besara with Fava Beans and Olive Oil

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Blend Beans and Herbs
Once the beans are tender, drain and reserve some cooking liquid, then blend with the herb mixture until smooth.
2
Season the Puree
Stir in cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust with reserved cooking liquid if needed.
3
Add Olive Oil & Lemon
Drizzle with olive oil and add fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine.