How to Make Egyptian Fava Beans "Ful Medames" Sandwich From Scratch

Sandwiches are present in almost all cultures worldwide having a special trait of being easily eaten anywhere without making so much mess. In Egypt, a stew of cooked fava beans -or as Egyptian call "Ful Medames"- is considered the most popular breakfast dish, almost all Egyptians have Ful for breakfast as it is known for being high in protein and other nutrients, being completely vegan and giving a prolonged feeling of fullness around the day. Ful can be eaten as a bread dip or in a sandwich. In this instructable, I am sharing with you my first time making Ful stew on my own and I encourage you to try it because it turned out delicious.

For the Ful stew:

• 350 grams of fava beans.
• 70 grams of peeled fava beans.
• 50 grams of peeled red lentils.
• 1 large tomato.
• 2 cloves of garlic.
• Beans cooking pot.

For the Ful seasoning:

• 330 grams of cooked Ful.
• 2 spoons of chopped dill and coriander leaves.
• 2 spoons of finely chopped green pepper.
• 2 minced cloves of garlic.
• Juice of 1/2 a lime.
• 1/2 a teaspoon of cumin powder.
• A pinch of chili powder.
• A pinch of coriander powder.
• 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste.
• 2 spoons of tahini.
• 2 spoons of flaxseed oil.
• A loaf of pita bread for the sandwich.

Before cooking the fava beans, it is a necessity to soak it, so :

• Wash the fava beans.
• Put them in the pot.
• Cover them with water.
• Soak them for 4-6 hours.

After the fava beans are soaked:

• Drain the beans in a strainer.
• Rinse them under running water.
• Add the lentils and the peeled beans to the strainer.
• Rinse all the legumes.
• Drain them.
• Add them to the pot.

After the legumes are ready in the pot:

• Add 1 peeled tomato and 2 cloves of garlic.
• Add boiling water.
• Turn on the stove on high heat until the water boils again.
• Turn down the heat to the lowest degree possible.
• Check the pot every 2 hours to see if the stew needs water.
• Add boiling water if the water is not sufficient in the pot.
• Turn off the heat when the stew is done, it might take up to 8 hours

To the cooked Ful add:

• 2 spoons of chopped dill and coriander leaves.
• 2 spoons of finely chopped green pepper.
• 2 minced cloves of garlic.
• 1/2 a lime.
• 1/2 a teaspoon of cumin powder.
• A pinch of chili powder.
• A pinch of coriander powder.
• 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste.
• 2 spoons of tahini.
• 2 spoons of flaxseed oil.

While adding the ingredients, mash and stir the mixture with a fork.

After the Ful is done, Now it is time to make the sandwich:

• Open the pita bread from the side.
• Add 2 filled spoons of the Ful.
• Spread them inside the bread.
• Close the sandwich.

Here we are, the Ful sandwich is ready. You can serve it with leafy greens, vegetables, and pickles.

Bon Appétit or as we say in Egypt "Belhana wel shefa"