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Egyptian Fava Bean Dip (Bissara) First Image

Herbed Fava Bean Dip


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  • Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This herbed fava bean dip is a delicious blend of flavors, perfect for serving warm with a sprinkle of chile flakes and caramelized shallots.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups dried split fava beans or dried white beans
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 cups water, plus more if needed
  • 1 packed cup fresh dill (fronds and tender stems)
  • 1 packed cup fresh parsley (leaves and tender stems)
  • 1 packed cup fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 shallot, finely sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Get ready. Soak dried split fava beans in water overnight. Before you start cooking them, discard the soaking water and give them a quick rinse.
  2. Simmer the beans. In a medium pot, add the rinsed fava beans, onion, and garlic along with water. Add additional water to cover the beans, if necessary. Bring to a boil on high heat, and then turn down to low to medium heat to simmer for about 12 minutes. Test a bean at this point, it should be “al dente” soft with a little bit of bite. If they’re not, keep simmering and checking them for a few more minutes until tender.
  3. Throw in the herbs. Add all of the fresh herbs into the pot, stir, and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
  4. Blend and season. Using an immersion blender, blend all the ingredients in the pot together until you have a thick, pureed mixture of uniform consistency. Add the salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and give it a taste. Adjust seasonings to your preference.
  5. Brown the shallot. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan on medium heat. Slowly sauté the shallot until browned and caramelized, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  6. Finish and serve. Finally, pour the dip into a serving dish. Sprinkle the chile flakes onto the surface. Add the browned shallots and serve warm, or leave to cool to your desired temperature.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use a high-quality immersion blender.
  • Feel free to adjust the herbs based on your preference or availability.
  • Prep Time: 12 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup