Once upon a time long ago and far away. Well actually seventeen years ago and in Egypt, which is not all that far away (Larnaca to Cairo about 350 miles by air). Anyway, we had foules mesdames (spellings vary throughout the Middle East) for breakfast. Recipes vary as well but basically fava beans are stewed until soft and then mixed with garlic, lemon juice, cumin, maybe tahini, various seasonings. Served with olive oil. Delicious. Much better than Middle East attempts to serve Western breakfasts. Have made it in Canada but not recently and suspect I cheated and used tinned beans.
Suspect this because the dried fava beans sitting on our cupboard shelf looked like they could be used for shingling. But three days ago their time had come. Foules mesdames or the garbage can. Soaked them for two days. Knew that in the absence of my friendly Instant Pot they would cook for a looong time. Have cooked beans pre Instant Pot, though not Fava beans. These simmered for seven hours and were not really soft. Left them to stew in their own juice over night.
So today we contemplate the pot of beans. Some disintegrated but others definitely hard. And a lot whole but soft. Remove the shingle types and J attacks the rest with a masher. Add tahini, crushed garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, a little hot pepper. Pretty good dip. But would never consider repeat performance without a pressure cooker.
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