Ful Medames- an Egyptian Power Breakfast

With the celebration of Orthodox Easter last week, Ms Boles, our Senior Science Technician, talks about her traditions in Lent and Easter and shares some favourite recipes for Ful Medames. 

Did you give up something for Lent this year? Perhaps you decided to take something up instead? To the outsider, Lent in the Coptic Orthodox Church can seem a bit daunting. 

 “In Lent we have to give up any foods coming from animals, including honey. We have to be completely vegan. There are also special liturgy services every day. On the Thursday and Friday before Easter (Covenant Thursday and Good Friday) we do not eat or drink anything until late afternoon.” 

Whilst this might seem a bit daunting, Egyptian cuisine is full of delicious dishes that are completely plant-based: 

“In Egypt, it is quite normal to not eat meat every day, even in wealthier families. There are plenty of other options: stuffed vine leaves, stuffed cabbage leaves, lentil soup, koshary (a rice and lentil dish) and of course, falafel.” 

 One of the classic comfort foods is Ful Medames: 

 “Ful Medames is the staple breakfast or lunch food across the country. They are really filling and sustain you throughout the day. Most people would have these beans in some form on the breakfast table. In nearly every single street in Egypt you would find a restaurant selling Ful medames and Falafel, for people looking to pick some up on their way to work . It is also very common for Muslims in the Middle East to have some as part of suhoor, the morning meal before their Ramadan fast.” 

 What are Ful beans and how can I get them? 

Ful are commonly known as Fava Beans in the UK. They are close relatives to green Broad Beans, which are can still be found in the freezer section of supermarkets (or growing in Gardening Club’s vegetable bed outside Hastings). Dry or canned Fava beans becoming increasingly available as people realise what they have been missing out on. Be sure to check out your local World foods supermarket, health food store or online. 

Did you know: Fava Beans were once a staple in Britain. Originally introduced to the country by Neolithic Farmers around 5000 years ago, they were widely grown in the Bronze age and were a staple throughout the medieval period, commonly eaten as a porridge or made into bread. As the country became wealthier, meat and dairy became more popular, and pulses became further stigmatised as the food of the poor.  

Farmers in this country still grow the beans as a rich source of protein- for livestock! 

 Recipes to try yourself!

 Ful Medames with tomato  

• Mash the beans with a fork 
• Heat some oil to frying pan and add freshly chopped tomatoes (not from a can).  
• Leave the tomatoes to cook for 5 minutes and then add the cooked broad beans.  
• Leave it to cook again for another 5 minutes.  
• Add cumin, black pepper and salt to your taste.  
• Optional you could add more oil or a little bit of tahini after you turn off the heat.  

 

Ful Medames with garlic and tomato sauce  

• Fry some garlic in oil in a pan, when golden colour add tomato paste and leave it to simmer for 5 minutes.  
• Add the beans, mash and leave it to cook on low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes.  
• Add black pepper, cumin and salt.  

Ful Medames with tahini:  

• Heat the beans and add a little bit of water to boil with it for around 5 minutes.  
• Mash the beans with a fork 
• Turn the heat off and add cumin, salt, chilli flakes (optional) and about 1/2 tablespoon of tahini and mix while still hot.  

Ful Medames with fried eggs  

• Heat the cooked beans with some water to boil and mash 
• In a frying pan melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and add from 3 to 5 eggs, mix the eggs with the butter on a medium heat, once the eggs are half cooked turn the heat off and add the hot beans and mix.  
• Add salt and black pepper and it’s ready to eat😋