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- Cuisine: Egyptian
Cooked very slowly, traditionally overnight in a copper pot, this is one of Egypt’s national dishes, often eaten for breakfast. Fava beans and lentils are cooked until they are soft, flavoured with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs and spices and typically eaten with Egyptian bread. This dish is a tasty and solid start to the day, particularly during Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
Ingredients
2 cups of dried fava beans (broadbeans)
1 cup red lentils
3 cups water
Cumin
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Preparation
Rinse the fava beans and lentils. Cover with water and soak overnight.
In the morning, drain the beans and lentils and rinse again. Place them in a large saucepan and cover with three cups of water. Boil on high heat until frothy. Skim the froth as it accumulates and then cover the saucepan and boil on the lowest heat for up to five hours or until the beans are fully cooked and the liquid has reduced.
Add salt, pepper, a generous amount of cumin and lemon juice to taste. Lastly drizzle a liberal amount of olive oil over the top.
For a sandwich-style snack, serve in a pocket of unleavened bread with fresh salad, tahini and pickles.
Note: This dish thickens as it cools so be careful not to remove too much moisture during the cooking process.
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