Ful Medames

Ful medames (pronounced ful-em-dem-es), or simply “fūl,” is a deeply flavorful mashed fava bean and chickpea based dish that is widely enjoyed in Lebanon, the Middle East and North Africa. Somewhere between a bean dip and a thick bean stew, ful medames originated in Egypt where remnants of the dish have been unearthed in pharaonic tombs, making it one of the oldest culinary traditions in the world. The beans are simmered until soft, then roughly mashed together with garlic, herbs and spices to create a remarkably flavored and wholesome dish that is typically enjoyed as a hearty and filling breakfast (though it’s delicious anytime of day).

Ful medames are traditionally made with fava beans, but they can be tricky to source in western markets. As such, our chefs developed this recipe using chickpeas in their place, though fava beans work beautifully in this recipe if you can find them fresh or frozen. To really hone in on the quintessential Lebanese flavors, the chickpeas are generously seasoned with our unique Piquant Post Lebanese Baharat, which is a traditional spice blend found throughout the Middle East and North Africa.  The warming spices in the baharat pair beautifully with the earthiness of the chickpeas, while a healthy amount of high quality olive oil, lemon juice and garlic tie everything together. Garnished with tomatoes and fresh parsley and eaten with flatbread and vegetables, ful medames is all at once comforting, filling, fresh and healthy, and a perfect meal for any occasion!