Ful Medames (Mediterranean Breakfast)

In Northampton, Ma there is an amazing falafel restaurant owned by George Assa, who is from Syria. I have been on the hunt for a good Ful Medames recipe after a few trial and errors of my own. I went to his restaurant, Pita Pockets, to get a falafel pita for lunch, and to ask him if he has a good ful medames recipe. George is very laid back, and even when I asked him for a traditional Syrian ful medames recipe during the lunch rush, he was very willing to give it to me as soon as the rush died down. George told me that Syrian people eat this for breakfast all the time. I am always looking for healthy Mediterranean diet breakfast recipes that are quick and filling. This one takes less than fifteen minutes. It’s very filling and I like dipping pita bread in it to make it even more filling. You can put as much parsley, onion, tomato, and olive oil as you want on top. This makes each person able to season it to their preference which I really like about Ful Medames. I thank George for sharing this recipe and I highly recommend going to Pita Pockets for the best falafel in Western Massachusetts!

mediterranean diet breakfast ful medames

 

What is Fun Medames?

Ful Medames is a beloved and traditional dish, originating from Egypt and widely consumed across the Middle East and North Africa. Its history dates back to ancient Egypt, with evidence suggesting it was consumed by the Pharaohs. The dish is made primarily from fava beans, which are soaked overnight and then slow-cooked until they become tender. The beans are then seasoned with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and various spices, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.

Ful Medames is often enjoyed as a breakfast meal, but it can be served at any time of the day. It is typically accompanied by a variety of garnishes such as chopped parsley, onion, garlic, and hard-boiled eggs, allowing for a customizable and satisfying culinary experience. The preparation of Ful Medames is a testament to the importance of legumes in Middle Eastern cuisine, as well as the region’s ability to create hearty and delicious meals with simple ingredients.

In addition to its delicious taste, Ful Medames holds cultural significance in many communities, serving as a staple food that brings people together. It is a dish that transcends time, remaining popular and beloved for centuries. Whether enjoyed at home with family or served at festive gatherings, Ful Medames continues to be a cherished dish with deep roots in culinary history.

Here are some other Mediterranean Diet Breakfast recipes!

7 Mediterranean Diet Breakfast Recipes

Tortilla Española (Potato Omelet – Spain)

Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce – Morocco)

Blueberry Muffins baked with Olive Oil

Spinach and Mushroom Omelet

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ful medames

Ful Medames (Mediterranean Breakfast)

4.20 from 10 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 15 ounces 1 can fava beans
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1 handful fresh parley, chopped
  • 1/4 red onion, diced
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • extra virgin olive oil for drizzling 

Instructions
 

  • Put the fava beans with the liquid in a small saucepan on high heat.
  • Bring to a boil, add cumin, salt, pepper, and lower to medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Remove from heat. Mash beans with a fork to desired consistency.
  • Whisk together tahini and lemon juice. Add to fava beans. Mix well.
  • Transfer the beans to a serving bowl. Top liberally with fresh chopped parsley, diced tomato, diced onion, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 16gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 977mgPotassium: 819mgFiber: 10gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 725IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 4mg
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About the Author: George Zikos
George studied International Business in Greece in 2015 for three semesters. His family is from the island of Crete, and he lived with them for a whole summer. During that time, he started working for Mediterranean Living and contributing his firsthand experiences of the traditional Cretan diet. He learned fluent Greek along the way, being fully immersed in a traditional Cretan village. He is since graduated with a business degree from Worcester State University. George loves language and traveling, so he completed a TEFL certificate program at the Boston Language Institute in order to teach English abroad and travel the world. He currently works full-time blogging, recipe formulating, and social media marketing for Mediterranean Living. His passions include language, gardening, hiking, skateboarding, and watching sports. He dreams of living in Crete one day, after he travels the world learning as many languages and cultures as possible.

2 Comments

  1. Kevin Braaten June 19, 2019 at 2:10 pm - Reply

    Loved it!!! Great flavors

    • George Zikos June 19, 2019 at 8:45 pm - Reply

      Thank you!

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